Colin Meads.

There's precious little to be said about Pinetree which hasn't already been said - the greatest rugby player of all time, usually top of the list - but he has to be included as one of New Zealand's greatest sons for an entirely different reason.

He showed that Kiwi toughness is harder than teak at a time when toughness among men was a virtue. Along with Kevin Skinner, he redefined the word toughness in rugby to the extent that even the fearless Springboks were so in awe of him that they cynically broke his arm to stop him dominating the tests.

Playing with that broken arm strapped in leather emphasised the toughness of this King Country sheep farmer, but toughness on its own is of little value. What made Meads different was that the toughness was coupled with a genuine concern for his fellow man - or, in Meads' case - the less fortunate fellow men, women and especially children among us. Pinetree devoted more time to helping charities for the intellectually disabled than most people spend at their job. This, despite being a working farmer and having to travel to the main centres for speaking engagements and charity appearances.

For almost half a century, people with intellectual disabilities have had a face - a face better known than almost any other Kiwi - the giant, craggy features of the mighty man from Te Kuiti - a bloke so tough the only nickname for him is a 50-ton tree. A bloke so tough he hides his huge heart behind an exterior like flint.

Many of today's stars could learn much from the mighty example of Piney.

For Meads' playing history, where else could you go but All Blacks.com?

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