Phil Gard was a rugby union player who played for North Otago

North Otago Rugby Football Union

The North Otago Rugby Football Union is a New Zealand rugby union province based in Oamaru and current holders of the Meads cup, the top trophy in the Heartland Championship. They are one of the strongest teams in The Heartland Championship, winning the Meads Cup section of the competition in its...

, and also the All Blacks (All Black #699). Gard played 85 matches for North Otago

North Otago Rugby Football Union

The North Otago Rugby Football Union is a New Zealand rugby union province based in Oamaru and current holders of the Meads cup, the top trophy in the Heartland Championship. They are one of the strongest teams in The Heartland Championship, winning the Meads Cup section of the competition in its...

 throughout 12 consecutive seasons. His brother, Neville also played for North Otago

North Otago Rugby Football Union

The North Otago Rugby Football Union is a New Zealand rugby union province based in Oamaru and current holders of the Meads cup, the top trophy in the Heartland Championship. They are one of the strongest teams in The Heartland Championship, winning the Meads Cup section of the competition in its...

in 1962.

Early career

Gard was only 18 when he first appeared on the wing for North Otago in 1966. In 1969 he had his first go at national level when he played in the national under 23 trials and then was at centre in the South Island side which gained an upset win over the North Island side at Athletic Park that year.

All Blacks

Gard had an All Black trial in 1970 before the side was chosen to tour South Africa and another in the under 23 trials, also for the South Island. His break came in 1971 when he played superbly against the British Lions for the combined Hanan Shield unions team. The All Black backlline had suffered injuries, and failed to show against the Lions so Gard was called into the squad at second five eighth for the fourth test at Eden Park. That was to be Gard's only cap, though he did play for the All Blacks again, making six appearances on the internal tour early in the 1972 season. Gard played for the South Island for a fourth consecutive season and was in the trials for the team to tour Britain and France.

Superb Player

A player with Phil Gard's background would have a hard time becoming an All Black today, in fact it is highly unlikely a player with the same circumstances as Gard would make the All Blacks today. He came from one of the smallest clubs, Kurow, in one of the smallest unions, North Otago. In the late 1960s and early 70s when Gard played North Otago they were very much a minnow. Team-mates spoke highly of Gard's courage and distribution skills. But by then it was plain that Gard, despite his considerable courage, had some limitations which were not helped by playing in such a small union.

Later career

Knowing he was not an All Black prospect any more, Gard continued to play for North Otago until he retired in 1977. Gard had played 85 times for the union. After retirering Gard served the Kurow club as a committee member and president. In 1990 at the age of 42 he died from cancer.