Mike BREWER

Mike Brewer was a tough, intelligent loose forward who enjoyed a good career in New Zealand colours and would move straight into a coaching role when his playing days were over. He is one of several players who will always carry the title of "Baby Black" following his promotion to the senior side in 1986 after the suspension of the rebel Cavaliers. He first appeared at 21 in a gutsy win over a touring French side who approached the game thinking that the youngsters would be easy meat. The record books show how wrong the French were as the greenhorns stole an unlikely 18-9 win. Mike kept his place for the home series against Australia that followed, but missed out on the World Cup party in 1987. However, over the next couple of years the Otago man strengthened his reputation and seemed certain to have booked a place on the plane to Europe for the 1991 World Cup.

Unfortunately, Mike then found himself at the heart of political manouvering by the power brokers behind New Zealand rugby. Suffering from an injury, he was required to pass a fitness test in order to travel with the rest of the side. The circumstances under which the test was conducted were regarded as totally unfair and he was unsuccessful. Coach Alex Wyllie later claimed that the whole incident was a political move designed to undermine his authority. Mike finally did get to taste World Cup rugby in 1995 and featured in one of New Zealand's greatest victories of all time, a vibrant 45-29 thumping of England in the semi finals. Sadly, New Zealand were a much more introspective side in the final against South Africa, primarily as a result of the food poisoning which affected many players in the days leading up to the game. Mike's international swansong came in the victorious Bledisloe Cup series that same year, providing some consolation for the disappointment in Johannesburg. (Jon Collins)

1986 v France (Nantes) L 16-3

1989 v Ireland (Dublin) W 23-6

1990 v France (Paris) W 30-12

1994 v Australia (Sydney) L 20-16