Many a wise rugby head will tell you that the strength and success of any rugby team lies at halfback.

A skilled halfback can change the direction of a match in a moment and help an average side look top-drawer.

This week we profile the leading halfbacks who made Taranaki such a tough and organised opponent throughout their respective careers.

Five of the six we have chosen, Arthur Humphries (1897), Charlie Brown (1913, 20), Roger Urbahn (1959-60), Kevin Briscoe (1959-64) and Dave Loveridge (1978-85) were All Blacks during those years while the sixth, Denis Wards, gave Taranaki yeoman service in 95 appearances through the 1960s and early 70s.

The province was spoilt for choice in the 50s and 60s when both Urbahn and Briscoe were at their best.

It was a topic of national discussion at the time as to who was best. Urbahn had the running, passing and kicking skills while Briscoe, himself a fine passer and kicker of the ball, brought a more rugged game to the paddock.

Loveridge was without peer in Taranaki during his 136-game career but had to ward off the challenge of Manawatu's Mark Donaldson before making the All Blacks spot his own from 1980-83.

Records show Brown was a tough rooster with a Taranaki career that spanned both sides of World War I from 1909-22.

Humphries did the lot for Taranaki. He was a player, managed the 1908 All Blacks, was a Taranaki selector, became their president and was eventually made a life member for his services.

Next week: No 8s.

Halfbacks

KEVIN BRISCOE

ALL BLACK: 1959-64 (43 games, 9 tests)

TARANAKI: 1957-65 (54 games)

Briscoe was a combative player and

quickly emerged as a talent when

chosen as a NZ Colt in 1958 for a tour

of Japan. The following year he replaced fellow

Taranaki halfback Roger Urbahn for the second

test against the British Lions but an ankle injury

catalog printing ruled him out of the third and fourth tests. He was

understudy to Urbahn for the 1960 tour to South

Africa but returned as No.1 having played in all

four tests when Urbahn was injured. Australian

Des Connor was preferred for the next two

years but by the time of the 1963-64 tour of

Britain and France, Monkey Briscoes class and

fighting spirit had him back in favour and he was

the squad's vice-captain. He was a vital player in

Taranaki's 1963-65 Ranfurly Shield reign.

CHARLIE BROWN

ALL BLACK: 1913, 20 (11 games, 2 tests)

TARANAKI: 1909-14, 20-22 (53 games)

Brown was one of a handful of players to play for

the All Blacks either side of WWI. He made his

debut in 1913 against Australia in Dunedin and

during the war played for the NZ Servi
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