Allan Hewson
Encyclopedia
Allan Roy Hewson, born 6 June 1954 in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, represented the New Zealand
All Blacks
in 19 Rugby Union
internationals between 1981 and 1984. Hewson played at fullback. since his retirement from international rugby Hewson has continued to be involved with Wellington rugby.
His test debut came about as a result of injuries to other players, and was on 13 June 1981 v Scotland (at Carisbrook
in Dunedin
), which the All Blacks won 11-4. His final appearance was on 21 July 1984 v Australia (in Sydney
), which the All Blacks lost 16-9.
At 1.8m (5' 10") and just 73 kg in weight Hewson was extremely slight by international Rugby Union standards, and endured scepticism from the New Zealand public throughout his rugby career. Despite his stature, Hewson's international record speaks for itself: 201 points (at the time, just 6 short of the prevailing New Zealand test record), a then world record haul for points scored in a single test and a starring role in the notorious 1981 Springbok tour
. With the series tied at one all, in the last few seconds of the third and final test, New Zealand were awarded a long range penalty. In rugby journalist Jon Collins' words "the hopes of a nation rested on Allan's narrow shoulders". Hewson successfully converted the penalty and sealed a famous New Zealand victory in the series.
He was dropped in favour of Robbie Deans
when he was only 6 points short of Don Clarke
's point scoring record.
He also played cricket, and was selected as a Wicketkeeper/batsman for Wellington for one first-class season.
in Wellington
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
in 19 Rugby Union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
internationals between 1981 and 1984. Hewson played at fullback. since his retirement from international rugby Hewson has continued to be involved with Wellington rugby.
All Black career
Hewson played five tour matches in England, Scotland and Italy in 1979, but was not selected for the tests, as coach Eric Watson did not regard him highly.His test debut came about as a result of injuries to other players, and was on 13 June 1981 v Scotland (at Carisbrook
Carisbrook
Carisbrook was a major sporting venue in Dunedin, New Zealand. The city's main domestic and international rugby union venue, it has also been used for other sports such as cricket, football, rugby league and motocross. Carisbrook has also hosted a Joe Cocker concert and frequently hosted pre-game...
in Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
), which the All Blacks won 11-4. His final appearance was on 21 July 1984 v Australia (in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
), which the All Blacks lost 16-9.
At 1.8m (5' 10") and just 73 kg in weight Hewson was extremely slight by international Rugby Union standards, and endured scepticism from the New Zealand public throughout his rugby career. Despite his stature, Hewson's international record speaks for itself: 201 points (at the time, just 6 short of the prevailing New Zealand test record), a then world record haul for points scored in a single test and a starring role in the notorious 1981 Springbok tour
1981 Springbok Tour
The 1981 South African rugby union tour of New Zealand was a controversial tour of New Zealand by the South Africa national rugby union team, known as "the Springboks"...
. With the series tied at one all, in the last few seconds of the third and final test, New Zealand were awarded a long range penalty. In rugby journalist Jon Collins' words "the hopes of a nation rested on Allan's narrow shoulders". Hewson successfully converted the penalty and sealed a famous New Zealand victory in the series.
He was dropped in favour of Robbie Deans
Robbie Deans
Robert Maxwell Deans is the current coach of the Wallabies and former All Black. He is the former coach of the Crusaders. He also served as assistant to former All Blacks coach John Mitchell between late 2001 and 2003...
when he was only 6 points short of Don Clarke
Don Clarke
Donald Barry Clarke was a New Zealand rugby union player who played 89 times as a New Zealand international from 1956 until 1964...
's point scoring record.
He also played cricket, and was selected as a Wicketkeeper/batsman for Wellington for one first-class season.
Current career
In November 2007 Hewson was reported to have has commenced a role as Manager of the Ken Gray Rugby Academy within the Petone Rugby ClubPetone Rugby Club
The Petone Rugby Football Club was founded in 1885 and has been the Wellington Premier Champion 39 times between 1895 and 2005. In addition to this, the club has won the Club Championship on 42 occasions between 1922 and 2005...
in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
.
