Grant Fox

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Lore & Background

Fox was born in New Plymouth. He attended Auckland Grammar school. During his time with the All Blacks from 1985 to 1993, he wore the number 10 jersey (first five-eighth or fly-half), and was the main goalkicker for the All Blacks. He amassed 645 points from 46 All Black test matches (1 try, 118 conversions, 128 penalties, 7 drop goals). He is considered a true pioneer of the modern art of goal kicking, in particular the technicalities of leaning the ball forward, which has been adopted by world class kickers since. Fox is regarded as one of the greatest first five-eighths in All Blacks' history, even though he was not a great runner with the ball in hand. Despite his relatively short height, he made up for this with fantastic distribution skills reinforced by his long-term colleague John Kirwan's then-world-record career statistics playing outside him for Auckland and the All Blacks. His inability to score tries was often a joking point in the team – his cause not helped by an overruled attempt against Ireland in 1989 (due to a prior technical infringement by a teammate). Fox was a member of the New Zealand Cavaliers which toured apartheid South Africa in 1986, following the cancellation of the official NZRFU tour in 1985. For participating in the rebel tour Fox was banned from selection in the All Blacks for three tests. The highlight of Fox's career was winning the inaugural Rugby World Cup with New Zealand in 1987, a victory based in part on his accurate kicking. Fox was selected as one of the 'Five players of the year' for the 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1993 seasons, in the Rugby Almanack of New Zealand.

In Their Own Story

The highlight of Fox's career occurred during the 1987 Rugby World Cup. As New Zealand pursued their first-ever world title, Fox's accurate kicking provided the foundation for their success. He dominated the tournament statistics, amassing a record 126 points and converting 30 goals, neither of which has been surpassed in a single edition of the event. His performance was not just about volume but precision under pressure, turning tight matches into victories through penalties and conversions. Even when facing challenges like his three-test ban from selection following the controversial 1986 New Zealand Cavaliers tour to apartheid South Africa, Fox returned to cement his legacy as the tournament's leading scorer. The victory in 1987 remains the pinnacle of his playing days, proving that tactical mastery could overcome physical limitations.

Reader's Guide

In the 1995 New Year Honours, Fox was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to rugby. Fox remained an integral part of his Auckland union, involved at a coaching level and sharing in their success in the 1999 and 2002–2003 NPC seasons. Fox is now a commentator on Sky Sports, NBC Sports and in the EA Sports rugby union series. Fox provided commentary on the Rugby World Cup on ABC in 1995, with Al Michaels in 1999 and 2003 and Mike Tirico in 2007. Fox is currently a selector with the New Zealand All Blacks (2011–present).

Did You Know?

• Fox holds the world record for most points scored in a Rugby World Cup tournament (126 in 1987).
• Fox holds the world record for most conversions in one World Cup tournament (30 in 1987).
• Fox was banned from selection in the All Blacks for three tests after participating in the 1986 Cavaliers tour.

Unparalleled World Cup Kicking Records

Grant James Fox holds two distinct world records set during the 1987 Rugby World Cup. He scored a tournament-record 126 points, a feat that remains unmatched in the history of the competition. Additionally, he converted 30 goals in that same tournament, setting another global benchmark for conversions in a single event. These statistics were pivotal to New Zealand's triumph in the inaugural World Cup. While Fox was not known as a great runner or try-scorer—managing only one try in his entire test career—his boot was the primary weapon of the All Blacks during this historic campaign, demonstrating that kicking accuracy could decide the outcome of a world championship.

Technical Innovation and Playing Style

Fox is widely regarded as a pioneer of modern goal-kicking techniques. He introduced the method of leaning the ball forward before striking it, a technicality that has since been adopted by world-class kickers to improve stability and accuracy. Despite his modest height, he excelled at distributing the ball, forming a formidable combination with John Kirwan outside him for Auckland and the All Blacks. His lack of try-scoring prowess was often a subject of team jokes, particularly after an attempt against Ireland in 1989 was disallowed due to a teammate's infringement. Nevertheless, his ability to control the game through penalties, drop goals, and conversions made him one of the greatest first five-eighths in All Blacks history.

Career Controversies and Honors

Fox's career included a significant controversy when he participated in the New Zealand Cavaliers tour to apartheid South Africa in 1986. This occurred after the official NZRFU tour was cancelled, leading to his ban from All Blacks selection for three tests. However, his contributions were later recognized with high honors. In the 1995 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to rugby. His consistency was further acknowledged when he was named one of the 'Five players of the year' in the Rugby Almanack of New Zealand five times: 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1993.

Post-Playing Legacy and Family

After retiring from playing, Fox remained deeply involved in rugby. He coached for the Auckland union, contributing to their success in the 1999 and 2002–2003 NPC seasons. He transitioned into broadcasting, working as a commentator for Sky Sports, NBC Sports, and EA Sports rugby series, and provided commentary for ABC World Cups alongside Al Michaels (1987, 1995) and Mike Tirico (2007). Since 2011, he has served as a selector for the New Zealand All Blacks. On a personal level, Fox is the father of professional golfer Ryan Fox.