He's still known as one toughest men ever to pull on the All Blacks jersey and when the selectors replaced him, the rugby-loving public weren't at all happy. Sir Buck Shelford led 14 consecutive test victories as Captain playing from 1985, and eventually retired in 2001. He is recognised for bringing the mana back to the All Black haka and for that record-setting number of test-victories. But the honour also comes for his work promoting men's health, especially Maori men, suicide prevention, child cancer, housing for the disabled, the RSA, te Reo Maori and of course rugby.
All Black captain Wayne "Buck" Shelford leads the haka before a match against Argentina in Dunedin in 1989. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
