By Bob McNeil
The most successful All Black rugby coach ever will achieve another milestone tomorrow.
Fred Allen, who also played for the All Blacks and remains the only undefeated All Black coach, will celebrate his 90th birthday.
He will be honoured with a celebratory luncheon in the Auckland Town Hall, hosted by mayor John Banks and joined by the country's sporting elite.
There is still nothing Allen enjoys more than to talk rugby, the game that made him a legend in all rugby-playing nations.
'The Needle', as he's known for his sharp coaching methods, found fame as a member of the legendary Kiwi rugby team that toured Britain when the Second World War ended.
"It helped rugby to get sport back on its feet in Britain, and in Germany and France and those places," says Allen.
Allen says the best team he ever coached was the 1967-68 All Black team to Britain. It included names like Meads, Whineray, Nathan, Tremain and Lochore, and he rates it as the best All Black side ever.
Allen believes rugby is still in good heart, especially in this country, but says the season starts too early.
"It makes it hard on the players, and hard on partners and wives. They're away from their children… it's far too early."
This guru of the rugby ground says the secrets to a strong side are not too many player changes and a good team spirit.
"Team spirit is 60 or 70 percent of success," says Allen. "That's applicable to family life, business, schooling... If you got team spirit, you are half way there."
All Black great Colin Meads once said our rugby at international level has never been the same since 'The Needle' stepped down. Tomorrow 100 people will be at the special 90th birthday luncheon, and most will be agreeing.
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