GEORGE NEPIA

Stuff you didn't know about George Nepia, who played 37 games for the All Blacks, including 9 tests, between 1924 and 1930. 

George Nepia was nick-named 'The Guardian of the Gate' by British media, following his defensive abilities on the 1924 Invincibles tour. 

In order to follow English protocol, Nepia told the media his name had four initials. It appeared in the programme as X.X.X.X. Nepia. His name was simply George. 

Nepia often sought the traditional Maori healing technique of soaking in a bath of water and kauri juice. He would cut the skin near the affected area to allow the kauri mixture to soak into the wound. 

After returning from rugby league Nepia played more representative rugby for the East Coast. This included a match for the Olympians club against Poverty Bay at age 45 years - 26 years after his debut for the Invincibles.