Last Saturday Nick Farr Jones was inducted into the Australian Rugby Union's Hall of Fame.

Jones thoroughly deserves the recognition - he was one of Australia's greatest halfbacks, and was captain when they won the 1991 World Cup.

A Hall of Fame is a fantastic way to honour the greats of the game, and we can't understand why New Zealand doesn't have a Hall of Fame for our players.

Doesn't make sense, does it? We are, after all, the greatest rugby playing nation of all time, and we have a long history of true rugby greats.

We think it's time the NZRU set up a Hall of Fame to honour our best players, and here's who we think should be the first five players inducted.

Dave Gallaher is best known for captaining "The Originals" on the first tour to Britain, France and North America in 1905. In a total of 35 games, including 5 Tests, "The Originals" only lost the one game - a 3-0 defeat to Wales. Gallaher led from the front, playing in 26 (including 4 Tests) of the 35 matches. He was an extraordinary leader, and had a great eye for the game.
Gallaher went on to fight in the First World War, despite being exempt from service due to his age. Apparently, he altered his date of birth so that he could volunteer. He died during the battle at Passchendale, and is today honoured by New Zealand and France, who play for the Dave Gallaher Trophy. Gallaher is a member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame.

Lochore was named captain of the All Blacks after playing in only six games, including four Tests. He would remain captain until his retirement in 1970, although he did come back to play a one off Test in 1971. After his playing days were over, he moved into coaching, and was the coach of the All Blacks in 1987 when they won the inaugural World Cup. He has also been a manager of the All Blacks, and is currently a selector.
In 1999, Lochore was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame, and in the same year was knighted for his services to rugby.

Sean Fitzpatrick is one of rugby's greatest ever players, and his haul of 92 Tests is still a New Zealand record. In 1992 Fiztpatrick was named captain of the All Blacks, and remained so until his retirement in 1997. Fitzpatrick was a part of the Auckland provincial side that dominated New Zealand rugby during the 1990s, and was a member of the Blues during the first two years of the Super 12. Fitzpatrick set the benchmark for captains all over the world, but honestly - there are none who come close. Fiztpatrick is a member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame, and the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Lomu is without a doubt rugby's biggest superstar. He was elevated to fame for his efforts in the 1995 World Cup, where he scored seven trys in five games, including running down Mike Catt in the semi-final to score one of his four trys that day. From that moment on, he was the biggest name in the game.
Lomu's love for the All Blacks kept him fighting through his kidney disease, and although he never returned to the All Blacks after his transplant in 2004, the fact that he went on to play for North Harbour and the Cardiff Blues is incredible.
He scored 43 trys for the All Blacks, 15 at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups (a record), won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1998 (sevens), and in 2007 was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame.
Simply put, the guy is a legend.


They don't come any tougher than Pinetree, that's for sure. Meads has come to represent what being an All Black is all about - or, at least, what it should be about. His feats on the field are legendary. There wasn't an ounce of weakness in his body - he even finished a game with a broken arm. His response after that game sums him up - "At least we won the bloody game"
Meads was named the New Zealand Player of the Century in 1999, and is a member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame.
The All Blacks could certainly do with a few more players like Pinetree...



These are only five of New Zealand's greatest All Blacks - we could go on and on if we wanted to. The point is, it's about time the NZRU started our own Hall of Fame.

Then again, there aren't too many All Blacks who wouldn't make the list.