There is something about this region and its most prominent sport team that seemingly produces, develops or encourages young men to contribute on the rugby field but also have a bit more going on in their life.
Step forward, Anton Oliver.
He was the ultimate ‘‘different’’ Highlander — and that is written with the greatest respect, by someone fortunate enough to have interviewed him several times.
Oliver was a hooker, and a heck of a good one during a wonderful Highlanders era, but rugby was only where his story started.
This was a thoughtful, inquisitive chap who was at ease talking about fine art, environmental issues and political challenges as he was preparing for another scrum.
One of the best phrases I have seen in the occasional story about Oliver published since his rugby days ended referred to him as ‘‘the loquacious 59-test veteran, nude art model and patron of the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust’’, and that about says it all.
He bought a crib at St Bathan’s, befriended late literary great Brian Turner (who wrote Oliver’s excellent biography), and joined environmentalists in a campaign to stop a huge wind farm in Central Otago.
No post-career rugby coaching or commentary for Oliver, either: he worked for an Asian-focused brokerage, a green tech start-up company and in insurance in London, and founded the Athletes Trust to help sportspeople with their finances.
Another interesting move was a tour with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to narrate Peter and the Wolf.
It was as if Oliver was furiously determined to show he was more than just a rugby player, but he told the Otago Daily Times some years ago it was the way he always had been.
‘‘I think I’ve always had a curious spirit. Talking with me can sometimes feel like being part of an intense interrogation. I think, for many years, I had my head buried in a world which primarily revolved around rugby. Slowly, as I got older I was exposed to, and actively searched for, more in life. How anyone in this world can say they’re bored is beyond me.’’
But yes, there was some outstanding rugby in his life as well as the more cerebral pursuits.
Oliver was a raging bull of a hooker and one-third of the greatest front row the Highlanders have seen.
The son of 17-test All Blacks hardman Frank Oliver was the New Zealand Schools and under-19 captain out of Marlborough Boys’ College before he settled into life with Otago and the Highlanders.
Oliver junior was an All Blacks reserve at 19 and would play 59 tests. He was the captain in 2001 and finished his international career at the 2007 World Cup.
Later in his career, he played a few games of country rugby for the Toko club.
Oliver joined wealthy French club Toulon when he left New Zealand, but he was never motivated by money, and he retired one year into a two-year deal.
He later reflected on what he enjoyed most about his time with the Highlanders and Otago.
‘‘We were grown men with the enthusiasm of young boys; all we wanted to do was have some fun. We celebrated our differences and simply wanted to play for each other, expressing ourselves individually and collectively.
‘‘I can honestly say that those Thursday training sessions on Carisbrook are the most pure memories I have from the game.’’
Oliver lives with his wife and two children in Phuket, where he is director of finance and operations at a lumber company.
