Stars line up to launch rugby club history

Colourful Crusaders coach Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson was the star guest at the North Shore Rugby Club launch of its 150th-year celebrations and C’mon Shore!, a book that documents the history of the club.

The event raised more than $30,000, with at least $25,000 of that coming from the auctioning of six 150th-anniversary jerseys featuring the name and number of each of North Shore’s All Blacks: Don McKay, Gary Cunningham, Wayne Shelford, Frano Botica, Paul McGahan, Craig Newby and Brad Johnstone.

Around 240 people attended the event, including All Blacks great Bryan Williams, former Kiwis coach Sir Graham Lowe, sports broadcaster Peter Montgomery and Shore’s first All Black Don McKay.

C’mon Shore! co-author Max Webb said he initially thought writing the book could be “knocked off in a couple of weeks”. It took four years, with the expert help of journalist Jim Eagles, who died before publication, but was still getting his chapters in order in the lead-up to his death, Webb said.

Publishing the book proved a true labour of love, in which Webb spent many hours interviewing North Shore stars and characters, he said.

Robertson was circumspect about his chances of becoming All Black coach, but entertained the crowd with Canterbury tales, such as the time then coach Steve Hansen suggested he should perhaps move from flanker to number 8. Richie McCaw, 20, had just joined the team and scored three tries in his first match.

• North Shore’s 150th-anniversary celebrations take place over Easter weekend. Delving into the history, pages 34-37.