Graham Mourie

Legendary All Blacks captain and flanker

Graham Neil Kenneth Mourie (born 8 September 1952) is a New Zealand former rugby union player and coach. A flanker, he is considered one of the great All Black captains, leading the team in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Graham Neil Kenneth Mourie
Born: 8 September 1952
Birthplace: Ōpunake, New Zealand
School: New Plymouth Boys' High School
University: Victoria University of Wellington
Height: 183 cm / 6 ft
Weight: 89 kg / 196 lb
Position: Flanker

Lore & Background

Mourie was first selected for the All Blacks in 1976, captaining a second-string New Zealand team that toured South America. He captained the All Blacks on their historic Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland in 1978. He made himself unavailable for selection during the controversial Springbok Tour of New Zealand in 1981, later saying he has no regrets. He retired from playing in 1982 and was banned from coaching, playing or administering the game for 10 years after openly accepting royalties from his autobiography to challenge amateurism rules.

Reader's Guide

Mourie played a total of 61 matches (57 as captain) for the All Blacks until 1982. He also played for the Barbarians and for a World XV. He coached the Hurricanes from 2000, resigning in June 2002 after a season labelled 'disappointing' with the team finishing 9th.

Did You Know?

He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1981 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to rugby.
He was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2014 and the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
He was made a Life Member of the Taranaki Rugby Football Union in 2018 and became its Patron in July 2019.