Steven Bates

Steven Bates’ short international career was due almost entirely to the controversial rotation policy used by All Black coach Graham Henry during his 2004-07 term. With some first stringers being rested for the short tour of Europe at the end of the 2004 season Bates was one of a number of newcomers introduced.

A strong and versatile loose forward adept at either No 8 or flanker, Bates replaced Richie McCaw for the last 14 minutes of the win over Italy in Rome for his only test cap. His only other appearance was against the Barbarians at Twickenham when he played the first 53 minutes.

Bates’ only national selections after that, though, were for the Junior All Blacks in each of the 2005 and 2006 seasons. But he continued to give Waikato and the Chiefs excellent service and when he took up an overseas contract at the end of 2007 he had the distinction of having played 75 games in a row for Waikato, a record sequence for that province.

And despite the stiff competition in the Chiefs for loose forward positions among Sione Lauaki, Marty Holah and Liam Messam, Bates made 57 appearances in the Super 12/14. Bates also showed strong leadership qualities, often captaining Waikato, including the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup victory and occasionally the Chiefs.

Bates’ many feats for Waikato included a starring role in the 2007 Ranfurly Shield win over North Harbour.

Though he was not especially agile, Bates was a committed, uncompromising forward with a high work rate, which may have reflected a considerable league background in the west of Auckland.

A product of the crack Kelston Boys High School first XV, Bates was one of many forced out by the stiff competition in Auckland, Lauaki and Mose Tuiali’i being others, to gain regular representative chances elsewhere.

After making the national secondary schools side, the under 19s and the New Zealand colts, Bates played four games for Auckland in 2000 and another four in 2001. But all of his Auckland games were as a replacement and it was only after a couple of appearances for the Chiefs in 2002, and a decision to move south, that his career took off.

His only misfortune was to be a top player in positions in which, as always, New Zealand rugby abounded in depth. Otherwise, Bates’ All Black career may have been more extensive.