Kevin Skinner

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Inducted in 1996

Skinner was one of the great All Black props of the 40s and early 50s but his fame almost entirely centres on his coming out of retirement in 1956 to bolster the New Zealand pack against South Africa in one of the most tumultuous series New Zealand has seen.

Rugby Union

Skinner, who was also a national heavyweight boxing champion, toured South Africa in 1949 with the All Blacks, where he played in all four tests, and was the foundation of the All Black scrum for the following four years.

He captained New Zealand in Australia in 1952 and announced his retirement at the end of 1954 after playing all five tests on the 1953-54 tour of Britain, Ireland and France.

In 1956, after the All Black front row had problems against the Springboks in the first two tests, Skinner was persuaded to return and he did so, with devastating effect, displaying his versatility and commanding presence by swapping from side to side to quell the South Africans.

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