A pretty cool story just popped up on NZ Herald:
Disgraced All Black not expected to return for cap
Disgraced 1970s rugby prop Keith Murdoch is not expected to return to New Zealand to receive his All Blacks cap, his brother says.
Murdoch has lived in self-imposed exile in the Australian outback since being engulfed by a media storm when he punched a security guard in a Cardiff hotel during the 1972-3 tour of Britain.
The late-night incident came just hours after the Otago prop had scored the All Blacks’ only try in their 19-16 win over Wales at Cardiff Arms Park.
Murdoch was sent home but did not make it back to New Zealand, stopping in Australia, where he has lived since.
When I read “disgraced” I thought he must have done something pretty bad, Matty Johns or Greg Bird style.
But all he did was have a few drinks and snot a bouncer.
“Disgraced” is a bit strong isn’t it?
It’s funny how times change. What he got up to would count as a pretty quiet night out for most rugby types nowadays, and is probably including in the training schedule of most NRL players.
So in the end it sounds like he gave the two fingered salute to the rugby establishment, and went bush in Australia. He didn’t even make it back to NZ after being sent home.
Wikipedia sheds a bit more light:
Murdoch’s career ended controversially and mysteriously. He scored the All Blacks’ only try in their 1972 win against Wales in Cardiff, but later the same night was involved in a fracas and was sent home from the tour by All Black management, reputedly after pressure was brought to bear by the home rugby unions. Rather than returning to rugby in New Zealand, Murdoch virtually went into hiding, quitting his home and his sport and moving to the Australian outback where he has lived ever since.
So anyway, good on ya Keith. Hope you’re enjoying life, wherever you are. And if you’re ever looking for a job, don’t think your track record would stand in your way of working with any league team nowadays.
James said
“But all he did was have a few drinks and snot a bouncer.”
Pissing off those pot-bellied shaved gorillas is in every bloke’s blood. Nothing unusual there, Fushnchups..
admin said
Imagine if Willie Mason lived by the same principles. He’d be in self-imposed exile on Mars.
Squivy said
RL in Australia (and NZ I guess) has been suffering a poor image for too long, it is not my favourite oval-ball code but I feel sorry for the thousands of fans and players who love the game but almost have to cringe to say so.
I don’t know if there is any kind of quick solution, probably not unfortunately. Murdoch accepted his fate in 1972 where current football stars of any kind would be running off to judiciaries and appealing right, left and centre. Maybe there is too much money in most sports these days. What he did then certainly pales in comparison with glassing your girlfriend ……..
figjam said
He is hanging out with Andrew Symonds,having a few cold ones and enjoying life. Good on ya champ.
sonny read said
Murdoch wont return for his cap and its pointless looking for him.He is innocent of the happenings in Tennant Creek,I know this because I shared the house with him and I was blamed as well.He had a knife pulled on him in the pub and I was called a murderer in the street,both things not much fun.He isnt in Tennant any more and doing the right thing would mean leaving him alone.