Andy Haden

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Lore & Background

Andy Haden was born in Whanganui on 26 September 1950 and attended Wanganui Boys' College. He moved to Auckland and joined Ponsonby RFC. In 1971 he played for the Auckland Colts and also made his senior provincial debut for Auckland, playing 2 senior games that season. He would go on to play 157 provincial games scoring 12 tries (48 points). He also played eight games for the New Zealand Juniors in 1972 and many appearances for the North Island team in the Interisland match, captaining them in 1984. Haden made his All Black debut in 1972 against New York Metropolitan on the 1972–73 tour, but his Test debut was not until 1977 against the British Lions. He went on to make 41 Test appearances and scoring two tries. Of those 41 appearances, 8 were as captain of the All Blacks. Haden was noted for his powerful scrummage skills and for his imposing presence at the lineout. He also played club rugby for Harlequins in London and Algida Rome in Italy. Off the field, he published his autobiography, Boots ’n All, in 1983. By receiving royalties from the book, he ostensibly tested the sport's strict amateurism rules in force back then. He ultimately prevailed, however, by claiming that being a writer was his profession. Haden was selected as one of the “Five players of the year” for the 1984 and 1985 seasons, in the Rugby Almanack of New Zealand. Haden was a controversial player, who was accused of cheating and unsporting conduct. The most infamous occurrence of this happened in a match against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park in 1978. The score was 12–10 in Wales's favour, when Haden and another New Zealand player, Frank Oliver, fell to the ground as if pushed during a lineout after the ball had been thrown in. The referee awarded a penalty in the dying moments of the match, which Brian McKechnie kicked, winning the game for New Zealand. Later, Welsh legend J. P. R. Williams wrote that Haden should have been sent off. Despite the controversy however, the referee subsequently stated that the penalty had actually been awarded for an actual infringement against Oliver and not the Haden 'dive' as was thought. Haden did not, however, deny that the attempts to cheat the referee were pre-planned, something also confirmed by his captain Graham Mourie. The match happened on the same day as the annual 'Miss World' competition, which prompted Welsh cartoonist Gren to create a picture o

In Their Own Story

One of the most infamous moments in Haden's career occurred in a 1978 match against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park. With Wales leading 12–10 in the dying moments, Haden and Frank Oliver fell to the ground as if pushed during a lineout after the ball was thrown in. The referee awarded a penalty that Brian McKechnie kicked to win the game for New Zealand. While Welsh legend J. P. R. Williams later wrote Haden should have been sent off, the referee stated the penalty was for an actual infringement against Oliver, not the alleged dive. However, Haden did not deny pre-planning the attempt to cheat, a fact confirmed by captain Graham Mourie. The incident coincided with the annual Miss World competition, prompting Welsh cartoonist Gren to draw 'Miss New Zealand' lying on the floor pretending to be pushed.

Reader's Guide

Andy Haden was a New Zealand rugby union player and All Black captain. He played lock for Auckland and New Zealand from 1972 to 1985. He captained the All Blacks in 8 of his 41 Test appearances, not for the entire period. His senior provincial debut was in 1971, playing 2 games that season, not in 1970. He later played 157 provincial games. He also played for Ponsonby RFC, Harlequins, and Algida Rome.

Did You Know?

• Haden made his All Black debut in 1972 against New York Metropolitan, but his Test debut was not until 1977 against the British Lions.
• He published his autobiography 'Boots ’n All' in 1983, which tested rugby's amateurism rules.
• The infamous 1978 match against Wales occurred on the same day as the Miss World competition, leading to a cartoon of Miss New Zealand pretending to be pushed.
• Haden was a Rugby World Cup Ambassador in 2010 but resigned after making controversial remarks.