Mourie lionised

Press, 20 December 1978, Page 38

Mourie lionised

NZPA staff correspondent London! The All Black captain, Graham Mourie, has been unanimously elected to the ranks of rugby immortals by the British press following Sunday’s victory over the Barbarians in the tour’s grand finale. Mourie, who has been consistently praised by commentators who have at times been strident in their criticism of his team, was called “great,” “magnificent” and “outstanding” yesterday. Writing in the “Daily Mirror” which sells more than 3.)M copies a day, Chris Lander said Mourie “must qualify for rugby’s Hall of Fame alongside the legendary names of great New Zealand players.”

His personal contribution to the Grand Slam tour had [been “staggering” and he must now' stand alongside such famous All Black captains as Dave Gallaher (1905-06), Cliff Poret (192425), Wilson Whineray (196364) and Brian Lochore (1967).

Some of the highest praise of both Mourie and his team came from one of the legends of British rugby—the former Welsh and Lions first fiveeighths, Barry John. John, writing in the “Daily Express,” said the All Blacks’ win over the Barbarians may have been the latest in a series of "Houdini Acts” but “it was no more than they deserved.” “He is now, without doubt, the finest flanker in the world,” wrote John.