Maori great who was the only player to feature in all 32 games on New Zealand’s 1924-25 tour of the British Isles, France and Canada. The team won all its games, and became known as the Invincibles.

Omitted from the 1928 tour of South Africa because of his race, it was another four years before the fearless full-back played test rugby again. Against Australia in 1929, he scored his first and last international points.

Nepia played in all four tests against the Lions in 1930 but the Great Depression led to him seeking fame and fortune in English rugby league. Missing his family, Nepia returned to his New Zealand farm and represented his country in the 13-man code.

In 1947 an amnesty allowed league players to be readmitted to union, and three years later he became the oldest New Zealander to play in a first-class game when he turned out for Olympians in his mid-40s.