HUGH FOSTER McLEAN

REPRESENTED NEW ZEALAND: 1930, 32, 34-36 (29 matches, 9 Internationals)
Points for New Zealand: 50. 16 tries, 1 conversion
Position: LOOSE FORWARD
Born: Wanganui 18 July. 1907
Provincial Record: Wellington 1928, 30-33 (Wellington)
Taranaki 1929 (Star)
Auckland 1934-39 (Grafton)
1941 (Papakura Army)
North Island 1929. 31. 33
NZ Trials 1930. 34, 35
Educated at Hastings Boys’ High School and Napier Boys’ High School, 1st XV 1923. Represented Hawke’s Bay Juniors 1925 from the Hastings club before moving to Wellington where he made his first-class debut - then entering the North Island team during the following year from Taranaki. He made his All Black debut in the 3rd Test against the 1930 Lions scoring two tries in the match. Played in the final Test of that series and toured Australia 1932, 34 missing only the 2nd Test on the latter visit. His 14 games with the 1935, 36 All Blacks included the Irish, Welsh and English internationals. A tall player at 6’ 2 ½” and 14 stone, McLean was generally an excellent loose forward whose early form on the British tour was said to be disappointing but redeemed by good performances later. With another ex-All Black, Ron Bush, he established the Barbarians club in New Zealand 1937 and captained the team in their first game (v Auckland 1938). His father, Jack McLean. and four uncles represented Wanganui around the turn of the century. Two brothers, Gordon (Taranaki and Wellington), and. Bob (Taranaki and Wanganui), also played representative Rugby. Another brother, Sir Terry McLean, is a noted sporting journalist and author of numerous Rugby books. Selected in the New Zealand rowing eight which was unable to travel to the 1928 Olympic Games because of lack of funds. North Shore Golf Club captain 1948,49. Employed in the carpet trade for many years.