After representing Western Samoa at the 1991 World Cup Frank Bunce
made his All Black debut in 1992 against a World XV in the NZRFU
Centenary series. He quickly established himself as the hardest midfield
back in world rugby - instilling fear in the opposition with his
uncompromising defence as well as possessing the classical attacking
skills of all top centres. Bunce's first year in the black jersey also
provided him with five test tries including four against Ireland and so
began a remarkable record for test tryscoring. Perhaps his finest moment
in 1992 however was his slashing burst against South Africa that
provided a crucial try for John Kirwan as New Zealand emerged triumphant
27-24.
He also began a marvellous partnership in the midfield with
Walter Little that was to endure throughout his career and provide many
great battles with the likes of Scott Gibbs and Will Carling, Tim Horan
and Jason Little, which were absorbing and always extremely bruising.
Bunce continued his tryscoring capers against the Lions and Australia in
1993 and helped New Zealand to victories against these foes. His fine
form continued throughout the difficult year of 1994 as New Zealand lost
to France and Australia. However, his and New Zealand's fortunes
improved as South Africa was then beaten and by now he had become the
rock upon which a great All Black backline was about to be built. It was
the consistency that Bunce bought to his play, complementing the
attacking genius around him, that made him so valuable to All Black
rugby. He provided stability and strength whenever it was needed but
always took advantage of any cracks in the opposition defence when they
were wary of the superstars outside him.
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The picture above of Frank Bruce playing for New Zealand was taken on 1st December
1997 by Nigel French.
The 1995 World Cup saw the confirmation of Frank Bunce as one of the
games greatest ever centres. As New Zealand set the tournament alight
with its emphasis on total attack Bunce also provided many memorable
defensive hits including tight forwards many pounds heavier and inches
taller than he. Following the disappointment of losing the final the All
Blacks then whitewashed the Australians 2-0 in the Bledisloe Cup series
with Bunce scoring a memorable try in the first minute of the second
test following in support of a huge Jonah Lomu burst. In 1996 it was
again his granite-like defence that provided the hub of the All Black
backline as they finally beat South Africa on their home soil as well as
being victorious in the inaugural Tri Nation series.
In 1997 however
came perhaps Bunce's defining game in the black jersey when at Ellis
Park he simply tore the Springboks apart, scoring two memorable
individual tries. His second was simply outstanding as he ran 60 metres
beating 4 tackles through strength, swerve and subtlety and showing he
was far more than a great defensive centre. It was one of the great All
Black tries and helped New Zealand to a 33-30 win and another Tri
Nations title - secured when Bunce again scored at the historic test at
the Melbourne Cricket Ground, beating Australia. Frank Bunce played his
final test for New Zealand in the 26-26 draw against England at
Twickenham in December 1997, finishing with the most test tries and
appearances for an All Black centre. His departure left a gaping hole in
the midfield that took several seasons to remedy and he has left a
legacy of greatness that has been difficult to emulate. (Paul Scott)
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INTERNATIONAL PLAYING RECORD.
1992
30 May vs Ireland at Dunedin 24-21
6 Jun vs Ireland at Wellington 59-6
4 Jul vs Australia at Sydney 15-16
19 Jul vs Australia at Brisbane 17-19
25 Jul vs Australia at Sydney 26-23
15 Aug vs South Africa at Johannesburg 27-24
1993
17 Jul vs Australia at Dunedin 25-10
31 Jul vs Samoa at Auckland 35-13
20 Nov vs Scotland at Edinburgh 51-15
27 Nov vs England at London 9-15
1994
26 Jun vs France at Christchurch 8-22
3 Jul vs France at Auckland 20-23
9 Jul vs South Africa at Dunedin 22-14
23 Jul vs South Africa at Wellington 13-9 (-)
6 Aug vs South Africa at Auckland 18-18
17 Aug vs Australia at Sydney 16-20
1995
22 Apr vs Canada at Auckland 73-7
27 May vs Ireland at Johannesburg 43-19
31 May vs Wales at Johannesburg 34-9
11 Jun vs Scotland at Pretoria 48-30
18 Jun vs England at Cape Town 45-29
24 Jun vs South Africa at Johannesburg 12-15
22 Jul vs Australia at Auckland 28-16
29 Jul vs Australia at Sydney 34-23
28 Oct vs Italy at Bologna 70-6
11 Nov vs France at Toulouse 15-22
18 Nov vs France at Paris 37-12
1996
7 Jun vs Samoa at Napier 51-10
15 Jun vs Scotland at Dunedin 62-31
22 Jun vs Scotland at Auckland 36-12
6 Jul vs Australia at Wellington 43-6
20 Jul vs South Africa at Christchurch 15-11
27 Jul vs Australia at Brisbane 32-25
10 Aug vs South Africa at Cape Town 29-18
17 Aug vs South Africa at Durban 23-19
24 Aug vs South Africa at Pretoria 33-26
31 Aug vs South Africa at Johannesburg 22-32
1997
14 Jun vs Fiji at Albany 71-5
21 Jun vs Argentina at Wellington 93-8
28 Jun vs Argentina at Hamilton 62-10 (-)
5 Jul vs Australia at Christchurch 30-13
19 Jul vs South Africa at Johannesburg 35-32
26 Jul vs Australia at Melbourne 33-18
9 Aug vs South Africa at Auckland 55-35
16 Aug vs Australia at Dunedin 36-24
15 Nov vs Ireland at Dublin 63-15 (-)
22 Nov vs England at Manchester 25-8
29 Nov vs Wales at London 42-7
6 Dec vs England at London 26-26 (-)