Graham Mourie, to me, represents New Zealand rugby better than anybody else. The phrase "hard but fair" has become overused and worn out, but it applies to Mourie. Gareth Edwards once said Mourie's real greatness was that he had an appreciation of rugby's unwritten rules and understood perfectly where hard, committed play stops short of being dirty. I love this quote from Mourie, "The whole basis is enjoyment. The more often you win, the greater the enjoyment, but never a win at all costs." Unfortunately players like Andy Hayden (I hate him so much) and John Ashworth couldn't follow the lead.
Aside from being a terrific captain who could make his team rise to whatever occasion, he was also a devilish strategist. Mourie knew, in 1982, that Mark Ella wanted Mourie to tackle him. Mourie's aim was to make Mark Ella think he was going to tackle him by running a different angle towards him, herding Ella back towards the forwards. There were times where it looked as if Ella had stepped Mourie, but then Cowboy Shaw would come across to nail him! Mourie just had a wonderful tactical outlook like that and his duel with Ella was a facinating cat and mouse battle.
In a world without evil, Graham Mourie and not the diabolical Colin Meads, would be the most celebrated All Black.
Aside from being a terrific captain who could make his team rise to whatever occasion, he was also a devilish strategist. Mourie knew, in 1982, that Mark Ella wanted Mourie to tackle him. Mourie's aim was to make Mark Ella think he was going to tackle him by running a different angle towards him, herding Ella back towards the forwards. There were times where it looked as if Ella had stepped Mourie, but then Cowboy Shaw would come across to nail him! Mourie just had a wonderful tactical outlook like that and his duel with Ella was a facinating cat and mouse battle.
In a world without evil, Graham Mourie and not the diabolical Colin Meads, would be the most celebrated All Black.
