Bryan WILLIAMS

In the modern era it is hard to imagine an All Black side bereft of Polynesian players. For years now the likes of Jonah Lomu, Eric Rush and Va'aiga Tuigimala have each bestrode the world game like a colossus. Yet for a long time New Zealand sides were inhabited purely by players of Celtic, Maori and Anglo Saxon origin. By being the first south sea islander to play for New Zealand, Bryan Williams broke the mould. Yet it was as a player of the highest calibre, rather than his colour, that he will be remembered most. The 19 year old Samoan winger first played for New Zealand on their 1970 tour of South Africa and was an instant hit, scoring 14 tries in 13 matches.

The hallmarks of his game were strong running and an excellent side step, but he would later prove to be no slouch with the boot either. Along with established stars such as Ian Kirkpatrick and Sid Going, Williams represented the biggest threat to the touring British Lions side in 1971. With the series in the balance at 1-1, Bryan withdraw injured from the third test and his skills were sorely missed as New Zealand succumbed. He was back for the fourth and it was his blistering run that set up Tom Lister's try to give the All Blacks a lead.

But the Lions shut up shop and clung on to their prize for all they were worth, eventually drawing the game 14-14. He was also a key member of the 1972/73 touring party to Europe and enjoyed a successful trip as the All Blacks won nearly all their important games. He also had the distinction of featuring in Cliff Morgan's memorable commentary of "The Try" by Gareth Edwards in the Barbarians match at Twickenham that year: "Kirkpatrick...to Bryan Williams.... This is great stuff..... Phil Bennett covering..... chased by Alistair Scown...Brilliant, oh that's brilliant....", and the rest, as they say, is history. (Jon Collins)

By 1974 Australia had grown rather tired of being the laughing stock of world rugby and had set wheels in motion that would eventually lead to their spectacular successes in the 1980s and 1990s. New Zealand's journey across the Tasman sea that year therefore proved to be a real challenge as they encountered a Wallaby side that was both toughened up and tightened up after the various humiliations suffered in '73. Bryan Williams played in all three tests and was as bright as ever, but the hard fought 2-0 victory was dominated by forwards, with Ian Kirkpatrick particularly impressive.

In 1976 he participated in another tour of South Africa, though as a coloured player his presence in the side provoked an unacceptable reaction by the host politicians. 1977 was much happier as Bryan got to avenge his 1971 disappointment by helping put the Lions in their place, the series being won 3-1. He also travelled in a somewhat indisciplined sortie to France in the winter, but was only able to play in the first test before suffering a serious hip injury. The year after he was back and participated in one of New Zealand rugby's great triumphs; a Grand Slam of victories over the four home nations during the tour of Britain and Ireland. New Zealand had narrowly missed out on this achievement in 1973 having failed at the final hurdle against Ireland.

The last of Bryan's 38 caps came in the test against Scotland and he bowed out of the international game, at the relatively young age of 28, with nearly all of his ambitions fulfilled. When his club career came to an end in 1982 he turned his attention to coaching, and played a significant role in Western Samoa's rise to prominence in the 1990s. (Jon Collins)

1970 v South Africa (Joburg) L 20-17

1971 v British Lions (Christchurch) W 22-12

1972 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 14-9

1973 v England (Auckland) L 16-10

1974 v Ireland (Dublin) W 15-6

1975 v Scotland (Auckland) W 24-0

1976 v South Africa (Bloemfontein) W 15-9

1976 v South Africa (Cape Town) L 15-10

1976 v South Africa (Joburg) L 15-14

1977 v France (Toulouse) L 18-13