McCORMICK'S LONG CAREER

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33941, 6 September 1975, Page 4

McCORMICK'S LONG CAREER

The long and distinguished first-class Rugby career of Fergie McCormick appears to have ended with his omission from the Canterbury team to play Taranaki tomorrow. He has, at any rate, made it clear that he will no longer be seeking representative honours after this season. The following traces his remarkable career since his first match for a Canterbury senior representative team as a 19-year-old.

June 2, 1958: First first-class match, for Canterbury B v Mid Canterbury, won 13-10. Playing company that day included former or future All Blacks in Ross Smith, Morrie Dixon and John Creighton. June 1, 1959: Still first five-eighths for Canterbury B, first of more than 2000 points — a penalty goal. July 18, 1959: Debut for Canterbury A, against Wellington. July 25, 1959: Momentous second game, Canterbury beat the Lions 20-14, and McCormick’s crashtackle of John Young in the corner is still remembered. Sept. 3, 1960: First of 10 matches for the South Island, followed by first games in a black jersey, for a New Zealand XV, and for The Rest against the returning All Blacks. 1961 season: Canterbury full-back in all matches, all of which were won. 1962 season: First season as regular Canterbury kicker, 110 points in first-class season. Aug. 17, 1963: Brief return to the five-eighths, against Auckland and with unhappy (8-16) result Aug. 15, 1964: Had the All Blacks slipped him by? With Don Clarke injured, Mick Williment was called in for the first test against the Wallabies. Six games as centre for Canterbury. Sept. 18, 1965: The All Black jersey at last, in the fourth test at Eden Park against the Springboks. 1966 season: Still 10 seasons to go in top Rugby but the "N.Z. Rugby Almanack” felt he was “not quite up to his highest standard of several years ago.” Sept. 9, 1967: Perhaps his most thrilling surprise: Williment was incumbent Alt Black full-back but McCormick was named instead for the British tour. 1967-68: In 12 games on tour scored 118 points, outstanding all-round play won high praise from British press and opponents. 1968 season: Well-established now as All Black fullback; became third player to pass 1000 points in first-class Rugby. June 14, 1969: World record of 24 points v. Wales at Eden Park. 1970 season: Carried heavy burden on tour of South Africa, scored 132 points in 14 games but dropped for last test. Sept. 30, 1970: Saved Ranfurly Shield match against Wellington with dropped goal in last moments. June 26, 1971: Kicked off Carisbrook by Barry John in the first test v. Lions; dropped for next test, never to return. Sept. 27, 1972: Arguably McCormick’s finest match, the Shield defence against Otago when he also passed his 1000 points for Canterbury. June 13, 1973: Still in contention — the outstanding full-back of the AH Blacks trials. The trials, in this case, meant nothing. Sept. 15, 1974: Five conversions in Canterbury’s 50-4 win over West Coast and an amazing 2000 points in first-class Rugby. May 31, 1975: Was this the day to retire? A hobbling McCormick, still not fully recovered from injury, scored a great winning try for Canterbury against Scotland. Sept 3. 1975: Dropped by Canterbury for the first time.