MURRAY JAMES PIERCE

REPRESENTED NEW ZEALAND: 1984-90, (54 matches, 26 Tests)
Points for New Zealand: 16, 4 tries
Position: LOCK
Born: Timaru 1 November, 1957
Provincial Record: Wellington 1980. 82-90 (Wellington)
North Island 1985
Central Zone 1988-89
NZ Trials 1984, 89
NZ Services 1980, 83, 85
Educated Waitaki Boys, Roxburgh District and Dunstan High Schools, Pierce played club rugby in Central Otago (Roxburgh) before moving to Wellington. He played first for Wellington B then by 1982 had eased his way into the senior side, after having earlier represented Combined Services. Pierce first joined the All Blacks on the 1984 tour of Australia and later the same season went to Fiji. Andy Haden, to whom Pierce was a logical successor, was not available for the Australia visit. Pierce made his test debut against England in 1985 and was chosen for the aborted tour of South Africa. On the replacement tour to Argentina, Pierce played in the first test but missed the second. He toured South Africa in 1986 with the unofficial Cavaliers and retained his test place for the second and third international against Australia. Pierce played in both tests on the end of year tour of France prompting Rugby News editor Bob Howitt to write that he had a “big” tour. He continued his All Black career with a great display in the inaugural World Cup playing in 5 of the 6 cup matches and played continuously for NZ until his retirement from all rugby at the end of the 1990 season. after he made the end of season tour to France. A police officer who resigned to enter the Insurance Business.