Revelation by Nepia but records to stay

Press, 19 December 1985, Page 36

Revelation by Nepia but records to stay

PA Auckland Record books will not be changed, in spite of a revelation by the All Black great, George Nepia, that he was only aged 16 when he first played rugby for New Zealand. Nepia, in a recent interview in the “Tu Tangata” magazine, claimed he was only 13 when he first played first-class rugby, and that he lied about his age as a 16-year-bld to ensure the All Black selectors would choose him for the 1924 All Blacks. Regarded by many as the best New Zealand full-back, Nepia has always been listed as one of sixteen 19-year-olds to play for the All Blacks, and the third youngest - after Lui Paewai, aged

17, and Craig Wickes, aged 18. Nepia until now has always given his birthday as April 25, 1905. Now he says he was bom on April 25, 1908. The prominent rugby historians, Neville MacMillan, and Rod Chester, find it difficult to accept that Nepia was only 16 on his All Black debut. “Frankly, I don’t think George knows just how old he is,” said Mr McMillan. “Things like that can be very difficult because births in those days did not have to be registered.” Chester said: “I have my ddoubts that a 13-year-old would ever play first class rugby. I think that the 1904 or 1905 year of birth is probably right.” •