Rugby: Otago players dominate Medical XV

All Black captain David Kirk hold the World Cup aloft in in Auckland in 1987.
All Black captain David Kirk hold the World Cup aloft in in Auckland in 1987.
Otago players dominate a mythical team of rugby-playing New Zealand doctors named in the British Medical Journal this month.

The team has been compiled by a group including former Dunedin doctor Andrew Hill and Otago graduate Sanket Srinivasa.

As ''a point of historical interest'', the authors decided to name a Medical XV to recognise the once-thriving tradition of doctors playing top rugby.

There is no simple database of All Black occupations, so the group relied on help from the New Zealand Rugby Almanack, the New Zealand Rugby Museum, and rugby identities including author and former Otago union chairman Ron Palenski, Otago University rugby historian Hugh Tohill, Highlanders professional development manager Peter Sinclair, and former Dunedin surgeon John Heslop.

No fewer than 11 of the starting XV played for Otago, no real surprise given the province's links to New Zealand's premier school of medicine.

The most recent player in the team also had southern links: Jeremy Stanley played for the Highlanders and played three tour games for the All Blacks before his rugby career ended because of injury.

Only three of the starting XV did not play for the All Blacks.

As the authors point out, with rugby now a professional sport, it is almost certain there will never again be a medical All Black.

The Medical XV is:

Fullback
TONY DAVIES

Auckland and Otago, 17 matches (three tests) for All Blacks, 1960-62

Equally at home in the midfield, Davies is remembered warmly for his natural talent and attacking flair. Became a gastroenterologist in Sydney.

Right wing
RUSSELL WATT
Otago, Southland and Wellington, 42 matches (nine tests) for All Blacks, 1957-62

A prolific try-scorer and product of Otago Boys' High School.

Centre
JEREMY STANLEY

Auckland, Blues and Highlanders, three matches for All Blacks, 1997
Extremely talented and strong midfielder whose career was curtailed by injury. Became an All Black just six years after father Joe's last test. Training to be an orthopaedic surgeon in Auckland.

Second five
RON ELVIDGE
Otago, 19 matches (nine tests) for All Blacks, 1946-50

The Medical XV captain and rated one of Otago's greatest backs. Became a leading obstetrician.

Left wing
GRAHAM MOORE
Hawkes Bay and Otago, one test for All Blacks, 1949

Part of a great Ranfurly Shield-holding Otago side. More of a fullback but his sole cap was earned on the wing against Australia. Practised medicine in Masterton.

First five
WILLIAM FEA
Otago, one test for All Blacks, 1921

Otago Boys' High School product who rose to the rank of Lieutenant-colonel with the 8th Field Ambulance during World War 2.

Halfback
DAVID KIRK
Otago and Auckland, 34 matches (17 tests) for All Blacks, 1983-87

Remains the only All Black captain to have raised the World Cup. Later had an exceptional career in politics, business and the media.

No 8
HUGH BURRY
Canterbury, 11 matches for All Blacks, 1960

A prolific try-scorer who was a sports medicine pioneer and later a professor of rheumatology.

Openside flanker
DES OLIVER
Otago and Wellington, 20 matches (two tests) for All Blacks, 1953-54

A committed and mobile loose forward who quit rugby at 23 and became a pre-eminent researcher in renal medicine.

Blindside flanker
DAVID DICKSON
Otago and Canterbury, seven matches for All Blacks, 1925

Goal-kicking loose forward who became a referee and surgeon.

Lock
LAWRIE KNIGHT
Auckland and Poverty Bay, 35 matches (six tests) for All Blacks, 1974-77

Versatile forward who scored the winning try in the fourth test against the Lions in 1977. Both his father and his uncle were All Blacks. Practised in Johannesburg before returning to Auckland.

Lock
IAN PRIOR
Otago, 1941-44 Also represented New Zealand Universities and New Zealand Army.

Recognised as the founder of epidemiology in New Zealand.

Tighthead prop
GEOFFREY GORDON
Otago, 1942-46 Also represented New Zealand Universities.

Was a GP in Kaikoura for 40 years.

Hooker
NICHOLAS MANTELL
Auckland and Waikato, 1991-99

Provincial journeyman who is now an Auckland ophthalmologist.

Loosehead prop
MARK IRWIN
Otago, Poverty Bay and Bay of Plenty, 25 matches (seven tests) for All Blacks, 1955-60

Made his All Black debut aged 20, and was also a top rower. Worked as a GP and anaesthetist in Rotorua.

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