No 35: Keith Murdoch gets sent home (1972)
He has commanded more newspaper column space than almost any All Black, yet he played in only three tests.
He was a giant of a man, in his prime one of the world's best prop forwards, yet he attracted controversy like a magnet.
Life was never straightforward for Otago and Zingari-Richmond hard man Keith Murdoch, who was sent home from the All Blacks' tour of Britain for allegedly punching a Welsh security guard.
On December 2, 1972, he scored the only try in the All Blacks' 19-16 win over Wales in Cardiff. It should have been the happiest weekend of his life.
At 10am on the Monday, as the All Blacks sat on the bus which was to take them to training, Murdoch collected his kit bag and called to his team-mates: "Hooray boys, I'm off".
He had been sent home and it remains unclear to this day who made the final decision. He later appeared at Euston Station, the silver fern removed from his All Black blazer. He never made it home, leaving the flight in Australia where he has since worked in the outback in a variety of jobs.
Murdoch has never told his side of the story, resolutely refusing all requests for interviews. He allowed himself to be filmed for a series, Mud and Glory in the early 1990s but would not answer questions on camera.
Murdoch was an enigma throughout his career. There was never any question about his ability but his off-field attitude and commitment often came under scrutiny.
He was involved in a scuffle at an after-match function on his first All Black tour, to South Africa in 1970, but he showed his courage when he made his test debut against the Springboks at Ellis Park and played through the pain of a growling appendix, which required an operation immediately afterwards.
He was chosen to play two tests against the 1971 Lions but withdrew from both with mystery injuries which were never satisfactorily explained.
He was warned early in the tour of Britain in 1972 by the manager, the late Ernie Todd, about his off-field behaviour and many believe his eventual expulsion was at the behest of the four Home Unions.
Murdoch needed strong but sympathetic management but that was lacking and, without guidance from the team management, his tour ended in ignominy out of proportion to his misdemeanours.
It remains one of the saddest chapters in New Zealand rugby.