Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy
Gordon Hunter memorial trophy during the round 11 Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Blues at Carisbrook Stadium on April 29, 2011 in Dunedin, New Zealand. - Photo by Teaukura Moetaua /Getty
The match is for the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy, which honours one of the characters of Otago rugby who was also in the unique position of having coached both the Highlanders and the Blues.
Otago under Hunter’s tutelage in the first half of the 1990s was regarded as one of the most exciting teams in New Zealand and had talent that graced the All Blacks, including men such as Jeff Wilson, Josh Kronfeld and Taine Randell.
Hunter, who also played for Otago, was coach of Otago from 1992 until 1995 and was then the coach of the Highlanders in the first year of Super Rugby.
He then advanced to join the New Zealand selection panel, his first year producing the first win by the All Blacks in a test series in South Africa.
At the end of Hunter’s tenure with the All Blacks in 1999, he took over as coach of the Blues, continuing in that role until ill health forced his retirement.
Throughout his coaching career Hunter combined his passion for rugby with his profession as a detective.
Gordon Hunter passed away on 9 March 2002.
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