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The son of the former All Black Brian Fitzpatrick, Auckland hooker Sean Fitzpatrick was little known outside his native country when he made his debut for New Zealand against France in 1986. However, over the next decade he would go on to forge a reputation as one of the most feared and respected players in world rugby. By 1997 "Fitzy" had amassed a record number of caps (92) for a hooker and was rated by many as the greatest player ever to wear the famous silver fern. Sean's debut came in the wake of suspensions to those players who had toured South Africa under the guise of the New Zealand Cavaliers in 1986.
Though he took his chances well, Fitzpatrick was only expected to play the role of understudy to the legendary Andy Dalton in the inaugural World Cup in 1987. On the eve of the tournament however, Dalton suffered a hamstring injury which ended his hopes of leading his team on home soil, giving the relatively inexperienced Fitzpatrick the chance of a lifetime. This he accepted with aplomb and the youngster delivered one flawless performance after another as New Zealand crushed all opposition on their way to the title. The next three years saw Fitzpatrick establish himself as the world's number one hooker and New Zealand consolidate their status as the world's top side by becoming practically invincible both home and away.
Whilst talented backliners such as John Gallagher, John Kirwan, Frano Botica and Grant Fox stole the headlines, the real basis of New Zealand's dominance in this period was merciless forward power, of which Fitzpatrick was at the heart. As the 1990s dawned it seemed that New Zealand's supremacy would go unchallenged and a successful World Cup defence in 1991 looked a mere formality. (Jon Collins)
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The photo of Sean Fitzpatrick by George Herringshaw was taken during 1993. © G.H.
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After so much success at an early age, maybe it was inevitable that Sean
Fitzpatrick would at some stage suffer disappointments in his career.
The first of these occurred in the 1991 World Cup when the holders were
beaten by a David Campese inspired Australia in the semi-final. Though
defeated, Fitzpatrick and his fellow forwards were immense, supplying
their profligate backs with enough ball to have won the game
comfortably. Many attributed the defeat to disharmony in the camp
between the powerful Auckland faction and the coach Alex "Grizz" Wylie.
In truth, the New Zealand team had already reached its zenith in 1989
and their rivals from across the Tasman Sea had become stronger.
After
dominating the men in Green and Gold for so long, it was now time for
New Zealand to play catch up. The rebuilding process saw Fitzpatrick
given the honour of captaining New Zealand in 1992, a position he would
hold until his retirement five years later. The first major test for the
new skipper came with the arrival of the British Lions in 1993. Only
one New Zealand captain had ever lost a series against the Lions, and
the fiercely patriotic Fitzpatrick had no intention of becoming the
second. In a nailbiting and at times controversial series, Sean lead his
team to victory by two tests to one. The same year the All Blacks also
won the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 1990 with a 25-10 win
against Australia, and he was able to celebrate the welcome return of
the Ranfurly Shield to his club side Auckland. The only low point of a
marvellous year was an unexpected defeat by England in the Autumn, many
of whose players had played in the losing Lions side. (Jon Collins)
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Sean Fitzpatrick is pictured above in 1995. © G.Herringshaw.
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After so much success at an early age, maybe it was inevitable that Sean
Fitzpatrick would at some stage suffer disappointments in his career.
The first of these occurred in the 1991 World Cup when the holders were
beaten by a David Campese inspired Australia in the semi-final. Though
defeated, Fitzpatrick and his fellow forwards were immense, supplying
their profligate backs with enough ball to have won the game
comfortably. Many attributed the defeat to disharmony in the camp
between the powerful Auckland faction and the coach Alex "Grizz" Wylie.
In truth, the New Zealand team had already reached its zenith in 1989
and their rivals from across the Tasman Sea had become stronger. After
dominating the men in Green and Gold for so long, it was now time for
New Zealand to play catch up.
The rebuilding process saw Fitzpatrick
given the honour of captaining New Zealand in 1992, a position he would
hold until his retirement five years later. The first major test for the
new skipper came with the arrival of the British Lions in 1993. Only
one New Zealand captain had ever lost a series against the Lions, and
the fiercely patriotic Fitzpatrick had no intention of becoming the
second. In a nailbiting and at times controversial series, Sean lead his
team to victory by two tests to one. The same year the All Blacks also
won the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 1990 with a 25-10 win
against Australia, and he was able to celebrate the welcome return of
the Ranfurly Shield to his club side Auckland. The only low point of a
marvellous year was an unexpected defeat by England in the Autumn, many
of whose players had played in the losing Lions side. (Jon Collins)
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