Career Record: Played 22: Won 20, Drew 1, Lost 1
Test Points: 20
Tries: 5
1986 v France (Toulouse) W 19-7
1986 v France (Nantes) L 16-3
1987 v Italy (Auckland) W 70-6 (W.Cup)
1987 v Fiji (Christchurch) W 74-13 (W.Cup)
1987 v Scotland (Christchurch) W 30-3 (W.Cup)
1987 v Wales (Brisbane) W 49-6 (W.Cup)
1987 v France (Auckland) W 29-9 (W.Cup Final)
1987 v Australia (Sydney) W 30-16
1988 v Wales (Christchurch) W 52-3
1988 v Wales (Auckland) W 54-9
1988 v Australia (Sydney) W 32-7
1988 v Australia (Brisbane) D 19-19
1988 v Australia (Sydney) W 30-9
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1989 v France (Christchurch) W 25-17
1989 v France (Auckland) W 34-20
1989 v Argentina (Dunedin) W 60-9
1989 v Argentina (Wellington) W 49-12
1989 v Australia (Auckland) W 24-12
1989 v Wales (Cardiff) W 34-9
1989 v Ireland (Dublin) W 23-6
1990 v Scotland (Dunedin) W 31-16
1990 v Scotland (Auckland) W 21-18
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Wayne Shelford playing for The All Blacks on 1st. November 1989. Photo G. Herringshaw. ©
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The sight of a blood and sweat soaked Wayne "Buck" Shelford holding aloft the Bledisloe Cup in 1988 after a decisive series win over Australia was symbolic of New Zealand's dominance in the latter part of the decade. That image could not have provided a greater contrast to the scenes of a year before when his predecessor David Kirk was handed the World Championship trophy. Whereas Kirk was a suave, clean cut and slightly aloof captain, Buck was all no nonsense aggression and commitment, a player's player and a man of the people. Buck was the kind of player that true New Zealand fan's love - hard, uncompromising and in possession of an unquenchable desire to see his team victorious. Due to the dominance of Murray Mexted at number 8, Buck had to wait a relatively long time for his debut, eventually taking his bow against France in 1986 at the age of 28.
Four bloodied and bruised years later he had forged a reputation for himself as one of the hardest and committed men in world rugby, as well as winning a World Cup medal and earning the honour of captaining his country. It was sad therefore that such a devoted servant would end his career in somewhat ignominious circumstances. Having guided New Zealand through a three unbeaten run, Buck was sacked in the summer of 1990 by coach Alex Wyllie following a hard earned series victory over Scotland. The exact reasons for his sacking remain a secret, but many people feel that it was a move orchestrated by the powerful Auckland contingent in that side designed to further assert their dominance. Many New Zealander's will argue to this day that the dismissal of this great leader of men ended any hopes that the All Blacks had of retaining the trophy right then and there, and sure enough, New Zealand slid out of the 1991 tournament in the semi-finals. (Jon Collins)
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