(Part 1) 1990 -1995.
| Together with fellow South Sea islander Frank Bunce, Walter Little formed half of one of the best centre combinations in rugby history. In total, the duo played in thirty-two matches together, including eighteen between 1995 and 1996. Although the vast majority of Walter's tests were played in midfield, some felt that his best position was fly-half, and one could see why from the fine kicking that characterised his game. His debut at 20 came in 1990 against Scotland alongside the old master of centres, Joe Stanley. However, there would be no chance for the partnership to develop as the veteran was dropped after the series. The year after, Walter played in three matches against Argentina and Australia, and also featured in the World Cup, though only in a couple of the less important games, such as the third place play off against Scotland. The match was won 13-6 and saw Walter score his test first try, the first of eight during his International career. That tournament had also marked the emergence of Western Samoa as a world force, a team which starred none other than a tough tackling, hard running centre by the name of Frank Bunce. By 1992, Bunce was wearing the Silver Fern as well, and he and Walter lined up together for the first time in a victorious series over a World XV. They also played in all three Bledisloe Cup matches, a rubber in which Walter came up against his namesake Jason for the first time. The Aussies won the series 2-1, but Walter scored another try in the third test in Sydney for a 26-23 consolation victory. The partnership really took off in 1995 when the two played in no fewer than eleven matches, including five at the World Cup, during which Walter scored a brace of tries against Scotland and another against Wales. (Jon Collins) |
This shot of New Zealand's Walter Little was taken on 1st December 1997.
Photo by G.Herringshaw ©.
(Part 2) 1996 -1998.
| The 1996 season saw the Bunce-Little partnership reach its zenith and the two starred in another seven tests together, including all five against South Africa. Their play was outstanding that year and one or other or both featured in countless New Zealand try scoring moves. In the final game, the dead rubber defeat against South Africa in Johannesburg, Walter scored his only try of the campaign when Andrew Merhtens' up and under caused mayhem in the Springbok defence and then rebounded off the post for the centre to pounce. Walter did not play any tests in the southern hemisphere in 1997, but made the tour to the UK, attracting the attention of commentator Nigel Starmer-Smith in the Wales test by elbowing Scott Gibbs in the face. The final game of the trip was against England at Twickenham. The All Blacks had already despatched the home side 25-8 two weeks previously at Old Trafford and expected to sign off their campaign with another win. The English hadn't read the script though and blitzed their way to a 20-3 lead. Merhtens brought New Zealand back into contention, and then Walter scored his last international try following Mark 'Bull' Allen's barnstorming run. The game ended 26-26, the highest scoring draw in international history. That game was also big Frank Bunce's last in a black shirt and the New Zealand midfield struggled the following season with coach John Hart using no fewer than four different centre partnerships in seven tests. Walter found himself paired with Mark Mayerhofler and Scott McLeod respectively in four of those games, with Eroni Clarke and Caleb Ralph taking his place in the others. But when Bunce had gone so had the magic, and no amount of tinkering could recreate the synergy that he and Little had generated together. A now ailing Little made his fiftieth and final appearance in the 23-27 reverse to Australia in Sydney, New Zealand's third consecutive defeat in the Tri-Nations. (Jon Collins) |