Sir Wilson Whineray reminisces on his 1st XV days

Years at AGS: 1948-1951
Years in 1st XV: 1950-1951
Representative Honours: Wairarapa 1953/Mid-Canterbury 1954/Manawata 1955/Canterbury 1956-1957/Waikato 1958/Auckland 1959-1966.
New Zealand: NZ Colts 1957/NZ Juniors 1958/NZ Universities 1955-1956/All Blacks 1959-1965.
If my memory is correct the School roll in my years was approximately 1150 and thee were 8 teams in the 1st XV competition. There were no special programmes - weight, summer, diet etc - just twice weekly training after school. Coach Jim Bracewell was a highly respected member of staff. Jim played senior club rugby for University and served overseas in WWII.

Jim's approach to coaching was to do the basics well - strong forward play aiming at some dominance up front, play at one end of the field, no dropped passes, no missed one-on-one tackles, kick where you mean it to go, run straight after the initial break. "Good teams do simple things well." But more than this, Jim stood totally for fair play - win, try to win at all times, but always within the rules and spirit of the game and always with dignity and grace. I treasure his memory.

My 1st XV colleagues have remained life-long friends. I am sure my AGS experience gave me the confidence and self-belief to push on in the game. Best wishes to staff and boys that each year will follow our path.

Wilson Whinerary 2004

Ben Atiga speaks about his 1st XV days at AGS

Years at AGS: 1997 - 2001
Years in 1st XV: 1998 - 2001
Captain of 1st XV: Nah, not good enough.
Representative Honours:
Auckland: 1997 - U14; 1998 - U16; 1999 - U16; 2000 - Secs; 2001 Injured (nothing); 2002 - NPC; 2003 - NPC
New Zealand: 1998 - U16; 1999 - U16, Secs; 2000 - Secs; 2001 - Secs, U19; 2002 - Secs, U19 and U21; 2003 - All Blacks, U21.
What effect did Grammar rugby have on you and how did it influence your rugby involvement when you left AGS:

It was there I realised my dream to be a pro rugby player. The rugby environment lifted my enthusiasm and commitment to play the best I can. Making respective rep. teams was a bonus and a credit to the boys who got me there during my years at Grammar.

I would like to think I was born with an ability to play some good rugby.

In my first year at Grammar, coming from a school boasting just over a hundred pupils, I was suddenly exposed to an array of students who were gifted in the art of playing rugby.

I remember dreaming of following in my older brother Matthew's footsteps and playing in the 1st XV.

I can recall looking up at the Honours Board and again dreaming of having my name up there alongside other Grammar Old Boys who had played for the All Blacks.

My first season playing 1st XV rugby introduced me to the next level of quality coaching, strategies and team work that instilled in me a professional work ethic toward rugby. So much so, that in that first year of 1st XV rugby, I was selected in the New Zealand Under 16 rugby team.

This achievement sowed a seed in me for yet another dream, that of becoming a professional rugby player as my first career move, with the ultimate goal of getting me an All Black jersey.

Since leaving Grammar, I have had good fortune in realising many of my dreams as far as rugby goes, and I can honestly accredit that to the team mates I have played with, the quality of opponents I have played against, the support of my family, the fine coaching I received while at Grammar and a little bit of an ability to play some good rugby.

Gary Whetton reminisces on his 1st XV days

Years at AGS: 1973-1977
Years in 1st XV: 1976-1977
Representative Honours: Auckland: 1980 - 1992
180 games, captain 1987 - 1992
New Zealand: NZ Colts - 1979, 1980, All Blacks 1981-1991 - 101 games 58 tests, captain 1990-1991
What effect did Grammar rugby have on you and how did it influence your rugby involvement when you left AGS:

Grammar was the start of my rugby career. I played soccer in the third and fourth forms and then rugby. It taught me about team commitment, pride in a jersey and that winning was very important.

All these attributes continued with me through my rugby career whether it be Grammar Old Boys club rugby, Auckland or All Blacks

Gary Whetton 2004