New Zealand Kiwis Team.

CHILL-OUT SUNDAY THE ELLIS RUGBY – NEW ZEALAND KIWIS TEAM MARK GRAHAM BOOK PREVIEW

Mark Graham is one of the New Zealand Kiwis best ever players. In fact, he was named as the greatest player the country has produced in the century from 1907 to 2006.
An Otahahu junior. Graham played in 29 tests. Captaining the Kiwis side in 18 of them. And scoring 7 tries from 1977 to 1988.

Captain of  New Zealand Kiwi Team

In 1980 when playing in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership for the Norths club. He helped his side to victory in the grand final.  At the end of the season. He captained the 1980 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France.

In a trans-Tasman test at Lang Park on 18 June 1985. While serving as Kiwi captain. Graham was deliberately taken out of the game by a high shot from Noel “Crusher” Cleal. While playing brilliantly and inspirationally.

From New Zealand to Brisbane and North Sydney Bears

After winning the premierships with his club in New Zealand. He played two seasons in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership with the Norths club. Under coach Graham Lowe. Winning the BRL premiership in his second year there.
As well as the New South Wales Rugby League premiership. For the North Sydney Bears between 1981 and 1988. He also captained the Bears.

New Zealand Kiwis Team last game & Wakefield Trinity

In what was the last match of the 1988 Great Britain Lions tour. Graham played for the Kiwis in their victory. Which saw them qualify for the final of the final of the 1985-1988 World Cup. Against Australia. In that match Graham also played at second-row. But New Zealand were unable to defeat the Kangaroos.
At the end of the 1988 Winfield Cup season. Graham travelled to England to captain the newly promoted Wakefield Trinity club. In the 1988–89 Rugby Football League season.

New Zealand Rugby League Hall of Fame

In 1995 Graham was one of the initial inductees of the NZRL Legends of League. The following year he was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame. He went on to coach the Auckland Warriors. In the National Rugby League for two seasons in 1999 and 2000. He later became defensive coach for the Japanese rugby union club, Kintetsu.

In August, 2006 Graham was named at second-row in the North Sydney Bears’ Team of the Century. In 2007, he was named at second row in the New Zealand Kiwis Team of the Century. And also further honoured as New Zealand’s rugby league Player of the Century. He is an Auckland Rugby League Immortal. In 2008, Graham was also named at second-row in a Norths Devils all-time greatest team.

Where to buy NZ Rugby League Mark Graham ‘Mark my Words’ Book?

The excellent book ‘Mark my Words’ Book. Is available from Sports Pages Here

We also offer some great retro Rugby League World Cup garments. Our classic Rugby League New Zealand Retro Shirt Polo. Or, you can see our full Rugby League range HERE.