Sympathy for Hewson

Press, 30 August 1984, Page 36

Sympathy for Hewson

By JOHN BROOKS Allan Hewson scotched two rugby rumours in Christchurch yesterday. One was that his wife, Pauline, is the daughter of the All Black selectorcoach, Bryce Rope. The other was that he is at daggers drawn with his fellow New Zealand full-back, Robbie Deans. Showing no signs of discomfort at being in the heart of “Deans country," Hewson praised his Canterbury counterpart for his play on the recent Australian tour and cast a tentative glance towards 1985 and the possible resumption of the rivalry. Allan Hewson was in Christchurch to promote the book on his career, “For the Record,” which was written by a Wellington journalist, lan Gault. It was unfortunate, he said, that the publication date came at about the same time he was dropped from the test team in Australia. But he was heartened by the sympathetic telegrams and encouraging remarks he had received in the course of a week’s promotional tour. “A lot of people were sorry for me, especially being ousted when I was only six points short of Don Clarke’s record,” he said. But he remained optimistic about the book selling well, even though one Christchurch retail outlet declined to stock it and other local booksellers remarked jocularly, “what makes you think Canterbury people are going to buy this book?”

In fact, said Hewson, he and Deans tended to get on well together, and he felt no animosity towards the fullback who supplanted him for the secnd and third tests against the Wallabies. “It was a bit frustrating not to get the record (the

highest New Zealand aggregate in tests) and I was disappointed at being dropped. But I guess it was not meant to be, at this stage.” Hewson said the book s title was not intended to imply that he was chasing Clark’s mark, but rather was born out of his feat in breaking Fergie McCormick’s world figure for most points in a single international. “At that stage I never anticipated getting so close to the other record,” he said. Although he has soared into prominence with his high goal scoring in tests, Hewson gets his biggest thrill just playing for the All Blacks — and winning. He admitted, however, that records assumed greater significance as a test career lengthened. His most crucial kick? — undoubtedly the final penalty goal against the Springboks at Eden Park in 1981, with flares smouldering along the touch-lines and a flour-bombing aircraft passing overhead. It was the kick which decided the fate of the series, and a seemingly relaxed Hewson lobbed it between the uprights. “It had to go over; I couldn’t afford to miss,” he recalled. “After all, the turmoil the tour aroused it would have been a disaster to have lost the series. In that contest, I was pleased to get the goal.” New Zealand rugby has not yet seen the last of Allan Hewson. He will definitely play for his club, Petone, next season because it is the centenary year. “If I am fit and raring to go, then I will probably be available at all levels,” he said.

And that, of course, could mean a resumption of his rivalry with Deans in South Africa.