LAWRENCE STOKES HAIG (Otago and New Zealand), Vice Captain of the 1953 All Blacks, was the subject of criticism during the tour, it being inferred that he was not of the required standard. To those who have followed his career and viewed the 1953 Trial’s there was never any question but that he was a necessity to the side. Without doubt he is a grand player, solid defender, and a master tactician; his tactical mid-field kicking is without peer among present-day New Zealanders. But what is forgotten, or perhaps not appreciated, is that suitable players outside of him have not been available, and what has been intended as attack from a short kick through has been nullified by a non-attacking second five-eight. Naturally we in common with most of the Rugby-minded dislike constant kicking by a first five-eight, but when it is done for a tactical purpose there is much to commend it. We feel sure that had an “adventurous” second five-eighth such as Wanganui’s M. R. O’Connell been selected Laurie Haig would have been hailed as a genius. Such a selection, too, would have given Haig more scope to vary his play.

Lawrence Haig is Scottish born (at Prestonpans, on October 18, 1922), coming to New Zealand at the age of two. He attended Kaitangata School, and at eleven was the School’s 1st XV. half back; he was also a South Otago Schoolboy representative . He joined Kaitangata Crescent Club on leaving school in 1938, commencing in the 3rd XV. And finally finishing up as a Senior, and with South Otago honours. All of Laurie’s football up to the 1939 season was played at half-back, but he then moved out to first five-eight to allow his brother “Jimmy” to go into the side; his subsequent Rugby has all been played there, except that against Canterbury in 1944 and against Auckland in 1947 he wasfull-back for Otago.