MEDIA RELEASE
19 July 2019

Former Taranaki and All Black flanker, coach and administrator Graham Mourie has been appointed as Patron of the Taranaki Rugby Football Union, a position previously held by the late Ian Eliason.

Mourie, a life member of the TRFU, played 104 games for Taranaki and made 61 appearances for the All Blacks between 1975 and 1982, captaining both teams.

Taranaki Rugby Football Union chairman Lindsay Thomson said he was “delighted Graham had accepted the role given his iconic status within New Zealand and world rugby.  He was Taranaki born and bred and had risen to the pinnacle of the sport, both on and off the field. Having been an All Black captain, and having served on the boards of NZ Rugby and World Rugby is unprecedented,” Thomson said.

Mourie was considered one of the great All Black captains, first leading the side on the 1976 tour of Argentina. He was then selected to play against the 1977 British and Irish Lions team and later that year captained the All Blacks to France, replacing Tane Norton.

He captained the All Blacks in 57 matches until 1982 which included the historic Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland in 1978.

After his playing career, Mourie coached Wellington from 1997-1999 before coaching the Hurricanes in 2000 and 2001.

Mourie played for Opunake High School and captained the 1st XV before moving to New Plymouth Boys High School. 

Mourie was instrumental in the amalgamation of the Coastal Rugby Club in 1995 and was the first coach of that club in 1995. Considered as the ultimate consummate captain on and off the field, this role is fitting for Mourie and his character. Mourie was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1981 for his services to rugby and elected a life member of the TRFU in 2018.

In accepting the position of Patron, Graham Mourie said “It is an honour to follow in the footsteps of Peter Burke and Legs. Peter was a great Taranaki man, and coach of the ABs when I was playing, and lan, who I always treasured playing with, was someone who epitomized what being a Taranaki rugby person meant for the province and the game”.

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact;
Will Johnston
TRFU Communications Advisor
will@trfu.co.nz
0273 483 831

Article added: Monday 29 July 2019