Steve Gordon

After he had represented Waikato, North Island and New Zealand at each appropriate age level, Steve Gordon’s elevation to All Black selection in 1989 seemed a natural progression.

The 1.98m, 112kg lock, who attended Te Awamutu College and was in the first XV for three years, had toured British Isles with the 1986 NZ secondary schools side and graduated to NZ Colts in both 1987 and 1988. He made his Waikato debut against North Harbour in 1987 and played 10 matches for the union in his first season. The following year he was selected for the North Zone side. He made his All Black debut against British Columbia on the Canada section of the 1989 tour which also took in Wales and Ireland. Went to France in 1990.

Born May 16,1967, Gordon was one of several representative players who transferred to Taupiri from Hamilton Old Boys in 1989 to help the country club return to the top division. Earlier he had been with Waikato University. He also soon became a valuable member of the Waikato pack and kept his All Black place for the tour of Argentina in 1991 and was in the squad for the World Cup, but strange selection decisions meant he didn’t get a game. He was rightly disappointed. The following season he played for a NZ XV against England B.

He returned with the All Blacks to Scotland and England in 1993 and played his first test against Scotland and held his place for the England test. He went on the NZ Development tour to Argentina in 1994 and played for a NZ XV v France.

Gordon was appointed Waikato captain for the 1995-96 seasons when John Boe took over as Waikato selector and led his young charges admirably.

After playing the 1997 season with Waikato his career finished with Wellington in 1998. At Super 12 level he appeared for the Waikato Chiefs (1996) and Otago Highlanders (1997).

His brother W Rob Gordon was also an All Black in 1990 and when they and the Whettons toured France in 1990 they became part of the first double set of brothers to tour since the Clarkes and Meads in 1963/64.