Sid Going
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Sid Going MBE (born August 19, 1943 in Kawakawa) is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. Dubbed Super Sid by his fans, he played 86 matches, including 29 tests for the All Blacks between 1967 and 1977.
Many rate him as New Zealand's greatest running halfback, his flair and unpredictability bagging him 10 tries in test matches, and 23 in all All Black games. He was a key member of the 1972-1973 All Black touring side to Great Britain and Ireland, his combination with flanker and captain Ian Kirkpatrick was pivotal. The side won tests against Wales, England, and Scotland before being narrowly denied an unprecedented Grand Slam by their 10-10 draw with Ireland[1].
He delighted North Auckland fans during his long tenure as halfback from 1965 to 1978, often serving alongside his brothers Ken [2] and Brian in that side, and in New Zealand Maori sides. Their speciality was a blindside triple-scissors movement, which almost gave North Auckland a late victory in the 1971 match against the legendary touring British Lions. That side featured the Welsh great Gareth Edwards, whose duels with Going was a feature of the tour, which produced for the Lions the first and only test series victory over the All Blacks.
He was also a member of the 1976 All Black touring side to South Africa, a tour remembered for the frustration of dubious refereeing decisions, and for the heart-breaking 3-1 series loss to the Springboks. Although only a part-time goal-kicker, Going was called upon to do the kicking duties in at least one test because of injuries to other players.
The curtain came down on his All Black career during the 1977 British Lions tour, when he was replaced after two test-matches of four.
Going was honoured with an MBE (Member of the British Empire) in 1978 for his contributions to Rugby, and continued to be involved with the game after retiring that same year. He coached Northland secondary school teams from 1988 to 1992, and was selector-coach of the provincial side from 1993 to 1996.
