Ex-Kiwis honoured for contribution

Author: Richard Becht
Timestamp: Tue 10 Oct 2017, 02:30 PM

New Zealand’s oldest surviving Kiwi Ray Cranch and former captain Don Hammond were honoured with lifetime awards for their contributions to the New Zealand Rugby League Ex-Kiwi Association at Sunday’s annual reunion in Auckland.

Graeme Farrar, Kiwi #398 (1961-1966), travelled from Australia to make a presentation to Cranch and Hammond.

Both men were accorded stand ovations in recognition of the work they’ve both done supporting the association.

An emotional Hammond thanked the gathering of some 80 former Kiwi players, coaches, managers, team officials and rugby league administrators.

The remarkable Cranch, Kiwi #341 (1951-1952), turns 95 in January. He was at his eloquent best with a heartfelt acceptance speech, making special mention of former Kiwi fullback and coach Gary Kemble (#555, 1980-1986). He said it was tremendous to see him back among ex-Kiwis after the way he had been treated in his short tenure as national coach in 2007.

Cranch also spoke glowingly about the just-aired SKY Sport documentary ‘No Regrets’, an account of the 2008 Kiwis’ Rugby League World Cup triumph over the Kangaroos.

A strong contingent of players from Kemble’s Kiwi-playing era were in attendance – #517 Graeme West (1975-1985), #522 Fred Ah Kuoi (1975-1985), #528 Dane O’Hara (1977-1986), #543 Shane Varley (1978-1984), #545 Toa Fepuleai (1978), #547 James Leuluai (1979-1985), #557 Nolan Tupaea (1980), #563 Clayton Friend (1982-1991), #566 Hugh McGahan (1982-1990), #574 Dean Bell (1983-1989), #584 Shane Cooper (1985-1989) and #596 Tea Ropati (1986-1997) along with coach Graham Lowe.

As well as Cranch and Hammond, five other players who represented New Zealand in the 1950s were on hand - #346 Roy Moore (1952-1956), #347 Alan Riechelmann (1956), #375 Tom Hadfield (1956-1961) and #392 Bill Hattaway (1959).

While the past was remembered as former team-mates shared old stories, the present was very much in focus with emotions running high following the naming of the Kiwis' World Cup squad last week. There was no shortage of opinion about the merits of Jason Taumalolo's decision to switch allegiance to represent Mate Ma'a Tonga at the 11th hour (along with other recent Kiwis who joined him).

The gathering included 12 former Kiwi captains, four ex-coaches and 13 past Vodafone Warriors.

As well as Lowe and Kemble, the other past Kiwi coaches were Bob Bailey and Brian McClennan. Bailey calls Whangamata home these days after previously living in Queenstown for some time.

EX-KIWI REUNION | FORMER NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS

341 | Ray Cranch | 1951-1952

346 | Roy Moore | 1952-1956

347 | Alan Riechelmann | 1956

373 | Duncan MacRae | 1956

375 | Tom Hadfield | 1956-1961

392 | Bill Hattaway | 1959

393 | Don Hammond | 1959-1965

398 | Graeme Farrar | 1961-1966

401 | Bruce Castle | 1961-1967

428 | John Bray | 1964

453 | Graham Brown | 1967