Murray Mexted

Murray Graham Mexted ONZM (born 5 September 1953) is a former New Zealand rugby union player who represented the All Blacks in 34 consecutive Test matches from 1979 to 1985, primarily as a number eight loose forward renowned for his lineout prowess and ball-winning capabilities.^[1][2][3] Standing at 1.93 meters and weighing around 95 kilograms, Mexted debuted internationally with a memorable try against Scotland at Murrayfield and contributed to New Zealand's successes during a dominant era, including playing 72 matches in total for the national side.^[3][1] After retiring, he transitioned to a career as a rugby commentator for Sky Television, where his candid and often humorous style drew both acclaim for injecting personality into broadcasts and criticism for remarks deemed inane or sleazy, leading to occasional suspensions such as in 2009 for publicly challenging New Zealand Rugby Union decisions.^[4][5][6] Mexted also founded the International Rugby Academy in 2001 to develop global talent and received the Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours for his contributions to the sport.^[4][7]

Early Life

Birth and Upbringing

Murray Graham Mexted was born on 5 September 1953 in Wellington, New Zealand.^[3][1] He was the son of Graham Mexted, who had represented New Zealand as an All Black in 1950 and later contributed to rugby in the Tawa community.^[8][9] Mexted's family had longstanding connections to the area, with his father having grown up in Tawa after being born in Greytown in 1927.^[9] Mexted was raised in the Wellington suburb of Tawa, a tight-knit community resembling a small town, located next to the Tawa Rugby Club grounds.^[10][11] He attended local schools, including Tawa College for secondary education, and represented Wellington in primary and secondary school rugby competitions.^[3][10] In reflecting on his childhood, Mexted noted that his father's status as a local All Black figure brought recognition but imposed no explicit pressure to pursue the sport professionally.^[11] The family's involvement in rugby was evident early, as Mexted later worked at the family car dealership before focusing fully on his playing career.^[11]

Education and Initial Rugby Exposure

Mexted attended Tawa College, a state coeducational secondary school in Tawa, Wellington, where he played for the First XV rugby team.^{[12] [7]} He later studied at Victoria University of Wellington before pursuing professional opportunities abroad.^[7] Introduced to rugby at age five by his father, Graham Mexted, a former All Black, he grew up adjacent to the Tawa Rugby Club grounds, facilitating early immersion in the sport.^[7] His initial competitive exposure came through school rugby at Tawa College and club play with Tawa RFC, culminating in his debut for the senior Wellington provincial side in 1975 while representing the Tawa club.^{[3] [2]} This progression from junior club and school levels to provincial selection marked his foundational development as a loose forward.^[3]

Provincial and Club Career

Auckland Representation

Murray Mexted did not represent Auckland in provincial rugby competitions. His provincial career was conducted entirely with Wellington, where he debuted in 1976 and accumulated 111 appearances through 1985, scoring 24 tries.^[13][2] During this period, Mexted frequently opposed Auckland sides, including notable encounters such as Wellington's Ranfurly Shield challenge loss to Auckland on 11 September 1976 (12-10) and subsequent defenses and matches in the National Provincial Championship.^[14] He captained Wellington from 1983 to 1985, contributing to victories like the 1981 upset over Auckland (19-6) shortly after the Springbok tour disruptions, where he scored a key try despite the team playing short-handed.^[15] No records indicate any shift to Auckland representation at the provincial level, consistent with his Wellington birthplace and longstanding club affiliations there.^[7]

Key Domestic Achievements

Mexted debuted for Wellington province in 1976 and went on to play 111 matches for the team through 1985, establishing himself as a cornerstone loose forward known for his lineout prowess and defensive reliability.^[2][13] During this period, he scored 24 tries, contributing 96 points to Wellington's provincial efforts.^[13] His most notable domestic success came in 1981, when Wellington captured the Ranfurly Shield from Waikato with a 16–12 victory on August 15 in Hamilton, a match featuring five All Blacks including Mexted as a key forward in the pack.^[16] That same year, Wellington clinched the National Provincial Championship Division One title, their second overall, after defeating Canterbury 31–6 in the final round, capping a dominant season where the province swept major domestic honors.^[17][18] Mexted's involvement underscored Wellington's forward strength, blending athleticism with tactical acumen to overpower challengers. Appointed captain from 1983 to 1985, Mexted led Wellington during a sustained Ranfurly Shield tenure, with the province defending the trophy multiple times against provincial challengers amid the competitive landscape of early 1980s New Zealand rugby.^[2][19] Although Wellington finished as runners-up in the 1980 and 1983 NPC seasons, Mexted's leadership maintained the team's elite status, highlighted by standout performances such as his try-scoring effort against Auckland in 1984 at Athletic Park.^[20][21]

International Rugby Career

All Blacks Selection and Debut

Mexted's breakthrough to the All Blacks came in 1979, following strong provincial form with Auckland and representative appearances for the North Island from 1978. He had attended All Blacks trials starting in 1977 but missed selection for the 1978 Grand Slam tour to Britain and Ireland. His inclusion in the national squad occurred for the home series against touring Argentina, a lineup described as second-string to provide opportunities for emerging players while senior figures rested ahead of international commitments.^[3] Although Mexted did not appear in the two test matches against Argentina—won 18–9 and 15–6 by New Zealand—his selection affirmed his rising status as a loose forward. This paved the way for his retention in the full All Blacks party for the end-of-year tour to England, Scotland, and Italy in October and November 1979, a 11-match itinerary including three tests. The tour followed a domestic schedule marked by the recent Gleneagles controversy over the cancelled South Africa visit, heightening focus on the squad's cohesion.^[3][1] Mexted made his test debut on 10 November 1979 against Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, starting at number eight in a 20–6 All Blacks victory. He marked the occasion with a solo try, showcasing his ball-carrying prowess and evasion skills early in the match. This performance, alongside flankers Mark Shaw and captain Graham Mourie, established the formidable loose forward trio that defined New Zealand's forward dominance in subsequent years. The debut capped a rapid ascent from club rugby, underscoring selectors' emphasis on athletic, versatile forwards amid evolving international competition.^[1][3]

Test Matches and Tours

Mexted debuted for the All Blacks in a test match against Argentina on 30 June 1979 at Eden Park, Auckland, as part of a pre-tour fixture before the team's European excursion.^[3] He went on to play 34 consecutive test matches from 1979 to 1985, a streak encompassing 26 wins, 2 draws, and 6 losses, with 4 tries scored contributing 16 points.^[1] These tests were distributed across home series, trans-Tasman clashes, and overseas tours, reflecting his reliability as a loose forward in an era of dominant New Zealand rugby.^[3] The 1979 tour to the British Isles and France marked Mexted's breakthrough internationally, following his Argentina debut; against Scotland on 17 November at Murrayfield, he scored a try via a 50-meter individual effort involving a chip kick, gather, and swerve, widely regarded as one of the most memorable in All Blacks history.^[1] The tour yielded test victories over Wales (20-12), England (22-13), Scotland (25-10), and France (24-19), bolstering New Zealand's reputation after missing the prior grand slam squad. In 1980, he featured on the short tour to North America and Wales, securing wins including a 33-0 test rout of Wales.^[22] The 1981 tour to South Africa, amid domestic protests over apartheid, saw Mexted play all four tests in a series New Zealand won 3-1, with results of 14-9, 12-11, 24-12 (win), and 22-25 (loss); the tour's 57 non-test and test fixtures highlighted physical confrontations but affirmed All Blacks supremacy.^[3] Subsequent tours included the 1983 visit to the British Isles, where tests against Scotland (25-24 win), Ireland (18-9), and England (15-9 loss) contributed to a mixed outcome, and the 1984 series in Australia, reclaiming the Bledisloe Cup with a 22-16 second-test victory after a 16-19 opener loss. His international tenure closed on the 1985 tour to Argentina, originally planned for South Africa but redirected due to political pressures, culminating in a final test loss 21-33 on 2 November in Buenos Aires.^[3] Across these endeavors, Mexted appeared in 38 non-test matches, often in forward packs emphasizing breakdown dominance.^[3]

Captaincy and Leadership Roles

Mexted captained the All Blacks in seven non-test matches, all of which resulted in victories for New Zealand.^[2] These midweek fixtures typically occurred during international tours, where he demonstrated effective leadership in guiding the team to success against provincial or invitational opposition.^[23] During the 1983 All Blacks tour of Scotland and England, Mexted was a leading candidate for the captaincy in the absence of regular skipper Andy Dalton.^[1] The role ultimately went to winger Stu Wilson instead. Under Wilson's leadership, the All Blacks drew 25–25 with Scotland on 20 November 1983 and lost 9–15 to England at Twickenham on 26 November 1983.^[1] Mexted's on-field presence as a number eight often embodied a vocal and assertive leadership style, contributing to team cohesion during his 34 consecutive Test appearances from 1979 to 1985, though he did not captain any full internationals.^[24] His consideration for higher leadership roles reflected confidence in his tactical acumen and influence among peers, despite not securing the test captaincy.^[1]

Playing Style and Records

Athletic Attributes and Tactics

Murray Mexted possessed a commanding physical presence suited to the demands of loose forward play, standing at 1.93 meters (6 ft 4 in) tall and weighing 95 kilograms (209 lb).^[3] These attributes enabled him to dominate in the lineout, where he excelled as both a reliable ball winner and a dynamic runner from the tail, leveraging his height and reach to secure possession and initiate attacks.^[3] His athletic profile featured exceptional endurance, often described as having a "big motor" that allowed sustained high-intensity efforts throughout matches.^[25] Mexted's skills extended beyond set-piece work; he was an effective defender with strong tackling ability and contributed significantly to open play, scoring 21 tries in 34 Test matches, highlighting his ball-carrying prowess and opportunistic running.^[3] Tactically, as a number eight and flanker, Mexted emphasized integration within the loose forward trio, focusing on ruck support, turnover poaching, and linking play between forwards and backs. His approach prioritized physicality in contact situations, using his size for go-forward momentum while maintaining positional discipline to support lineout strategies and defensive alignments.^[25] This balanced style made him one of the All Blacks' premier No. 8s, complementing team dynamics through versatile forward contributions.^[3]

Statistical Milestones and Comparisons

Mexted appeared in 34 Test matches for the All Blacks between 1979 and 1985, achieving a perfect streak of consecutive selections that established a record for a number eight upon his retirement.^[12] In these Tests, he scored 4 tries for 16 points, reflecting the limited scoring opportunities for forwards in the pre-professional era.^[13] His overall All Blacks record encompassed 72 matches, including 38 non-Test games on tours, where he contributed 21 tries and 84 points total, with an 83.3% win rate across his international career.^[3] A highlight milestone was scoring a try on his Test debut against Scotland in November 1979, demonstrating his capacity for dynamic runs from the base of the scrum despite his primary role in ball-winning and breakdown work.^[3] Relative to other loose forwards of his time, such as openside flankers who prioritized disruption over carrying, Mexted's 4 Test tries ranked competitively among number eights, who averaged fewer than 0.2 tries per Test in the 1970s and early 1980s due to structured play emphasizing forward grunt over individual flair.^[3] His consistency in selection surpassed many peers, as no other All Black number eight matched his 34 consecutive Tests until later professional-era players with extended careers eclipsed the mark.^[12]

Post-Playing Rugby Involvement

Transition from Playing

Mexted retired from rugby in 1986 at the age of 32 following his participation in the New Zealand Cavaliers' unofficial tour to South Africa, an event organized amid the cancellation of the official All Blacks tour due to anti-apartheid protests.^[26][1] The tour, involving 28 players including several All Blacks, sparked widespread controversy in New Zealand, resulting in a three-year ban from national selection for participants, though Mexted had already declared himself unavailable for future All Blacks duties prior to retiring.^[27][3] With 113 matches for Wellington and 72 appearances for the All Blacks— including a record 34 consecutive Tests at No. 8—Mexted's playing career concluded without pursuit of coaching or provincial administrative roles immediately thereafter.^[7] Instead, he shifted focus to media involvement in rugby, beginning commentary work with Sky Television shortly after hanging up his boots, a role that capitalized on his on-field expertise and personality for match analysis.^[7][2] This transition maintained his connection to the sport amid personal ventures, including marriage to Lorraine Downes and business pursuits outside rugby administration.^[26]

Coaching and Administrative Roles

Following his retirement from playing in 1985, Mexted established the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand (IRANZ) in 2002 as an independent entity after failing to secure support from the New Zealand Rugby Union.^[4][28] As managing director, he developed programs focused on elite player and coach development, including position-specific skills training, mental conditioning, rugby intelligence, and self-management modules delivered in intensive camp formats.^[29][30] IRANZ under Mexted's leadership expanded internationally, franchising its model to create affiliates such as the Investec International Rugby Academy in South Africa, complete with coaching manuals and business frameworks adapted from New Zealand's blueprint.^[31] He hosted clinics abroad, including player skills and coaching sessions in Texas in 2013 alongside coach Dave Rennie, targeting emerging rugby markets.^[32] Mexted contributed directly to coaching education through IRANZ-produced videos on back-row forward roles, covering core responsibilities of openside flankers, loose forwards, and tactical integration in modern play.^[33] These resources emphasize practical, high-performance strategies drawn from his All Blacks experience, supporting global coach upskilling without affiliation to national unions.^[30] His administrative efforts in rugby development earned recognition in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours, with appointment as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the sport, highlighting IRANZ's role in producing coaches and enhancing player pathways.^[7][34]

Broadcasting and Media Career

Commentary Positions

Mexted transitioned to rugby broadcasting after his playing retirement, joining Sky Television as a commentator in 1991.^[29] He served in this capacity for 20 years, providing color commentary and expert analysis primarily for Super Rugby matches, All Blacks internationals, and other domestic competitions broadcast on the network.^{[2] [35]} His positions often placed him in the commentary box alongside play-by-play announcers, where he drew on his No. 8 experience to dissect tactics, player performances, and game dynamics.^[36] During his tenure, Mexted covered high-profile events such as Hurricanes home games and broader New Zealand rugby fixtures, contributing to Sky's coverage until the 2011 Rugby World Cup.^{[37] [36]} He announced his retirement from commentary shortly after the tournament, citing a desire to step away from the role after two decades.^[37] No subsequent formal commentary positions with major networks have been reported, though he has occasionally appeared in media discussions on rugby topics post-2011.^[10]

Signature Style and Public Persona

Mexted's signature commentary style emphasized forthright opinions and analytical depth over conventional play description, as he explained his intent "to say something, add something rather than saying Smith passed the ball to Jones."^[6] This approach often incorporated humor through unintentional double entendres and malapropisms, such as "You don't like to see hookers going down on players like that," which amplified his on-air presence but also fueled perceptions of him as prone to gaffes.^[38] His broadcasts for Sky Television blended player insight with candid critiques of tactics, referees, and rugby governance, distinguishing him from more neutral analysts.^[2] Publicly, Mexted embodied a polarizing persona as an unfiltered ex-All Black, beloved by supporters for his authenticity and willingness to challenge institutional orthodoxies, yet divisive among those who viewed his bluntness as abrasive or outdated.^[10] Described as a commentator "you either loved or hated," his style reflected a commitment to unvarnished truth-telling rooted in frontline experience, even at the cost of professional repercussions like his 2009 removal from Sky amid disputes with the New Zealand Rugby Union.^[7][39] This forthright demeanor extended to recent commentary, including pointed rants on refereeing inconsistencies during the 2025 Rugby Championship.^[40] His enduring influence was acknowledged with the Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours for services to rugby, underscoring a legacy of provocative yet substantive media engagement.^[10]

Controversies and Criticisms

Conflicts with Rugby Authorities

In November 2009, Mexted publicly criticized the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) for proposing to reduce the number of teams in the Air New Zealand Cup from 14 to 10, describing the plan as shortsighted and detrimental to provincial rugby's development.^[39] He argued that the NZRU lacked strategic vision for the domestic competition, a stance he voiced as part of an independent survey of 250 former All Blacks players assessing the future of New Zealand rugby.^[5] Following these comments, Mexted claimed he was suspended from the Sky Television commentary team, which he attributed directly to his criticism of the NZRU's restructuring plans.^[41] Sky Sport did not publicly confirm the suspension was punitive, but Mexted maintained it stemmed from pressure exerted by rugby administrators sensitive to dissent over the competition's contraction. This incident highlighted tensions between former players and the NZRU leadership, including chief executive Steve Tew, whom Mexted singled out in the survey for inadequate handling of grassroots and provincial concerns.^[5] Mexted's dispute underscored broader frustrations among ex-All Blacks regarding administrative decisions prioritizing financial sustainability over competitive depth, though no formal disciplinary action was imposed by the NZRU itself.^[39] Subsequent commentary from Mexted has echoed similar themes, including support for coaches like Ian Foster publicly challenging NZ Rugby (the rebranded NZRU) on resource allocation, but the 2009 episode remains the most direct clash with governing authorities.^[42]

Outspoken Commentary and Backlash

In November 2009, Mexted faced significant backlash after publicly criticizing the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) for its plans to reduce the number of provincial teams from 14 to 10 in the Air New Zealand Cup, accusing the organization of lacking vision for the future of domestic rugby.^[39] He claimed this decision would harm grassroots development and competition, stating in media interviews that the NZRU's approach was shortsighted and detrimental to the sport's sustainability in New Zealand.^[41] In response, Sky Television, his long-time employer for rugby commentary, suspended him from its broadcast team, with Mexted later asserting that the move was directly tied to his outspoken remarks against the NZRU, a key commercial partner.^[43] Mexted's commentary style, characterized by blunt assessments and occasional colorful or irreverent phrasing, had previously drawn mixed reactions, with critics labeling some remarks as inane or sleazy while fans appreciated the unfiltered humor.^[6] Following the 2009 incident, his tenure with Sky ended quietly in 2012 after two decades, amid reports that his persistent critiques of rugby governance contributed to the decision, though Sky did not publicly confirm this.^[37] More recently, in August 2025, Mexted sparked controversy with a post-match rant following New Zealand's upset loss to Argentina, questioning the physical "strength" of the referee—French official Mathieu Raynal—and praising an unnamed Japanese official's handling of a prior South Africa-Argentina match as "marvellous."^[40] He argued that referees from southern hemisphere nations better understood the game's physical demands, a view he extended in September 2025 by criticizing "officious" northern hemisphere officials for inconsistent rulings that disadvantaged southern teams.^[44] These comments drew accusations of bias and eccentricity from observers, reinforcing perceptions of Mexted as an uncompromising voice often at odds with rugby's establishment.^[40]

Personal and Legal Disputes

In 2011, Murray Mexted and his three siblings initiated legal proceedings against their uncle, John Leon Taylor, concerning the management and income distribution from a commercial property held in the trust of their late mother, Muriel Mexted.^[45] The dispute centered on allegations of mismanagement by Taylor, who served as trustee, including claims that rental income had not been properly accounted for or distributed to beneficiaries.^[46] Proceedings were filed in the High Court at Auckland, highlighting tensions over the trust's administration following Muriel Mexted's death.^[45] The case returned to court later that year amid ongoing disagreements, with Mexted's side seeking greater transparency and potential removal of Taylor as trustee.^[46] By December 2011, the parties reached an out-of-court settlement, resolving the wrangle without public disclosure of specific terms, though it effectively distributed trust assets and ended the litigation.^[47][48] No further public legal actions involving Mexted's family trust have been reported since the resolution.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Mexted married Lorraine Downes, the 1983 Miss Universe winner from New Zealand, in 1986.^[49] The couple had two children: son Hilton, born around 1994, and daughter Jasmine, born around 1999.^[50] Their marriage ended in divorce in 2001 after approximately 15 years together.^[51] Following the divorce, Mexted entered a relationship with Mariska, with whom he had a third child in early 2009.^[50] The couple resided together in a Kapiti Coast home originally built for Mexted's mother, where they hosted family and friends.^[52] Mexted's father was Graham Mexted.^[53]

Health and Later Years

In 2012, after 20 years providing television commentary noted for its quirky insights, Mexted retired from regular broadcasting roles.^[37] He maintained involvement in rugby discourse through selective media appearances, podcasts, and interviews, critiquing All Blacks selections, coaching strategies, and southern hemisphere officiating as recently as September 2025.^[54][55] On 2 June 2025, Mexted received the Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the King's Birthday Honours for services to rugby, recognizing his contributions as a player and commentator.^[7] Mexted has highlighted risks from repeated head impacts in rugby, asserting in a 2022 interview that brain injuries pose a significant threat to the sport's future in New Zealand and require serious mitigation without overreaction.^[56]

Honours and Legacy

Awards and Recognitions

In 2025, Murray Mexted was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the King's Birthday Honours for services to rugby.^[57] This recognition highlights his legacy as a former All Black loose forward who played 34 Test matches between 1979 and 1985, as well as his ongoing advocacy for the sport, including contributions to coaching standards and talent identification.^[57][3] Mexted's playing career, which included 73 appearances for the All Blacks, earned him acclaim as one of New Zealand's premier No. 8s, noted for his athleticism, ball-winning ability, and defensive prowess.^[3][7] In 2014, he was ranked among the 100 Greatest All Blacks by the New Zealand Herald, reflecting his impact on the team's forward play during a dominant era.^[26]

Influence on Rugby Culture

Mexted exemplified the versatile loose forward archetype in New Zealand rugby during his All Blacks tenure from 1979 to 1985, where his 1.93-meter frame and 95-kilogram build enabled dominant lineout contributions as both a lifter and jumper, alongside effective ball-running from the back of the lineout and robust tackling.^[3] This multifaceted approach reinforced the cultural emphasis on forwards who could transition seamlessly between set-piece dominance and open-play threats, as demonstrated by his try against Scotland on 17 November 1979—a 60-meter burst from a lineout that highlighted explosive forward athleticism in an era predating widespread professionalism.^[1] Post-retirement, Mexted established the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand (IRANZ) in 2002, creating a structured high-performance pathway that has trained over 70 professional players and emphasized talent identification, skill refinement, and coaching education rooted in New Zealand's empirical rugby principles.^[2][58] By franchising the model internationally, including adaptations in South Africa, IRANZ has disseminated Kiwi methodologies for player development, countering post-professionalization challenges like diluted grassroots participation and fostering a global appreciation for New Zealand's systematic approach to producing adaptable athletes.^[4][28] This initiative has sustained rugby's cultural value in New Zealand as a merit-based pursuit, prioritizing measurable outcomes over administrative expansion. Through nearly 20 years of broadcasting, Mexted's unfiltered commentary promoted a tradition of direct critique within rugby discourse, regularly dissecting All Blacks tactics—such as insufficient forward dominance or squad imbalances—and urging adherence to foundational physicality amid evolving rules.^[7] His persistence in highlighting these issues, even labeling recent team performances as stagnant, has modeled intellectual independence from institutional narratives, influencing public and insider expectations for continuous evolution in a sport historically defined by unrelenting standards.^[59] Mexted's appointment as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit on 2 June 2025 formally acknowledged these contributions to rugby's developmental and cultural framework.^[7]