By crikey, THANKS for this in depth report on Keith, Matt. I thought his story and the fact that he was a genuine right 'Ard Bastid would pique your curiosity and I thank you for that, it is the most comprehensive video I have EVER watched about the mysterious Mr Murdoch.As a kid of about7 years oldI lived by Lancaster Park in Christchurch New Zealand, Canterbury is our team at National Competition and Ranfurly Shield level and Canterbury held the Shield around that time. Canterbury was playing Keith's team Otago and we were replete with several All Blacks at that point including forwards which was Murdoch's department. Despite being in the losing team that day Keith absolutely dominated the Canterbury forward pack to the point that he took precedence in this 7-year-old boy's head and more impressively this performance was against the supposed best props in the world of rugby. Ten minutes before full time I was skirting the side line awaiting the final whistle so I could grab some All Blacks autographs and actually touch these 'great men'. Luckily for me there were a ton of line-outs in the final ten minutes so I was about 15 feet away from Keith Murdoch during these times where the ball was thrown into the forwards who jump high to try and win the football while the others form a base to protect the ball winner when he returned to the deck so I got to witness, POINT BLANK the goings on in what is called 'The Engine Room' where all the dirt goes in among the tuff lumps of each team, or as it was called back then, The Biff. Well to say that this game was Keith's breakthrough performance is an understatement, Murdoch DOMINATED and it became obvious that the hard men of the Red and Blacks didn't want any more Keith fkn Murdoch and the ref's final whistle couldn't come soon enough for them. He looked to me from 15 feet away, with his Mex mustache like a MAN among MEN and I can't blame the Canterbury guys if they thought the same thing...'Oh sheet, hes got the ball and he's a coming at me, or I have the ball and he is on his way to SNOT me!' He was THAT impressive. I was stoked later that year when I heard he made the All Blacks. When he scored the winner against VERY formidable Wales team of that era I was really chuffed for the guy who had become my hero in a way.To learn of that DREADFUL Ernie Todd (Manager who sent Keith home) decision, I put it down to Ernie was not thinking properly because he was taking Morphine for the cancer he concealed from the team and the New Zealand Rugby Union, else he was never allowed to take an All Black team abroad on a lengthy tour, as they toured for a few months back in the amateur era and the Medics NEVER allow a cancer patient away to tour for three months and Todd obviously was never going to iss his chance that few men in New Zealand get, to Coach the All Blacks on an overseas tour, come hell or high water. He blew it and absolutely changed forever the life of the great Keith Murdoch, an absolute travesty to witness and behold. RIP Keith. Ernie Todd...do your best son.Cheers Matt.
What a fantastic message, the way you described seeing Keith in action, I could see it clearly. Brilliant. And thank you for the message and for suggesting Keith to me. As soon as I heard the story, I knew I had to get a video going 👊🥊
Brilliant video and a fantastic suggestion. Though I'm not a follower of rugby especially union, i come from a city with 2 professional rugby league teams so I have heard of Mr Murdoch, but never knew his story. It truly is fascinating. Anyone that like to see a good scrap on RUclips watch rugby league fights from the 70s and 80s You won't be disappointed.
Keith Murdoch was an amazing man - I played rugby in Dunedin at the time Keith was active and drank with him on several occasions and can “add” a bit to your story. Keith was a barman at the Ravensbourne Hotel, Dunedin and was an approachable guy before the incident in Wales. On one occasion Keith was behind the bar and simply reached down to pick up a crate and put his back out! I was drinking at the Gardens Tavern, Dunedin and it was absolutely jam packed to the rafters. It was shoulder to shoulder at the bar trying to get a drink! Suddenly I was aware of a space forming around me as I was right up against the bar. I turned to look into Keith’s chest - his mere presence had parted the crowd like Moses parted the waters. Keith had a mate who hung around with him, the mate was a sausage short of a BBQ but Keith looked after that guy like a father and no one made any fun of him! The incident with the car - Keith had a Mini [no towbar of course] and he took a tow rope in his right hand [out of the window] and towed a MkI Triumph 2000! I asked Keith about the infamous incident in the test match in SA where there was a great dust-up in the scrum. Keith said [with a bit of a lisp] “Well, the scrum went down and pow, I couldn’t see out of my right eye, but I saw through my left eye, Frik Du Preez was preparing to come through between the prop to hit me again so I parted my prop and went hammer and tongs”. Anyone who has played in the front row will understand the immense strength needed to “part your prop” when the scrum has bound! My understanding of Keith was that he wasn’t one to start a fight, but he certainly wouldn’t back down. He was immensely loyal and a true friend to those he called “friend’. Keith was actually quite fragile and the incident in Wales and the relentless MSM harassment destroyed a great man. I hope he now has peace - we’ll have a beer again, good on ya big fella!
Good one mate. I was a nipper of 7 when I first saw him play and my mates and I got to hero worship him at the time, we of course didn't realise what hero worshipping was but as I aged i see that it was indeed hero worshipping. I actually welled up watching Matt's tribute here, thanks for your ten cents worth, I had forgotten he was a barman until you mentioned it. Yes a strong bugger, Fergie McCormick was once at Windsor Golf Club where I lived as my parents were live on premises caretakers/caterers (Best days of my life BTW) after he returned from the infamous tour of South Africa where Fergie returned home Black and Blue with bruises STILL. Anyways Fergie was talking about Keith's massive strength and reckoned the best feat of strength he ever saw from a man was when Murdoch used to crush the old beer cans downward with one hand and flatten them, remember how strong the pre aluminium cans were, most guys couldn't crush them using BOTH hands, NOT Keith. You were privy to some magical moments there fella, obv they have remained with you for your life, you lucky bugger.
I met Keith in Townsville North Queensland a couple of months after the sending home incident. Flating with a Kiwi friend who actually went to school with Kieth in Dunedin we bumped into him at the Esplanade pub in Townsville. We became good mates. I was working on a construction site north of Townsville and actually got him a job driving a scrapper for an earth moving company on the site. Keith was a gentle giant and a quiet unassuming lovely man. He never spoke of the sending home incident so we never asked. Cheers
Geeze wonder he didnt bash you for putting him in a widow maker Scraper.... Just jokin. Growing up in Ch Ch N.Z (Born in 1961) I would often hear the story of Kieth, always wondered what happened to him. Cheers for the story, ended up in QLD meself operating all sorts all over the place back in the early 80's till now. Merry xmas
I met and worked with Keith in Bowen (Merinda) while l working as a stop/go girl for Citra Construction's in '83. He was the quietest, sweetest man, so very likeable, quite shy. When we would go to the pub after work he was always quiet and sat & drank just on the outside of our loud group. I smile remembering that he used to operate the grader in thongs as they didn't make work boots in his size at that time. One big night at a club in Bowen, which was a high set old Queenslander (all timber) he cut loose and did the Haka....the whole top floor was shaking & rattling lol. Such a lovely, lovely man.❤
I was so lucky to meet & befriend Keith while working & living in a construction camp when we both worked for Citra Constructions at Merinda (near Bowen QLD) in '83. It was suprising that such a big man could move so gracefully, gently & quietly. Before meeting him, l asked my Dad "Who's the big guy that sits on his own quietly in the corner at the pub?" And dad told me his story but to keep quiet about it. I was amazed at the story and so full of respect for him, he was treated appallingly by Rugby NZ! I remember he would wear thongs/flip flops while operating the machinery because they didn't make workboots in his size lol. I was only 20 and one of only 3 females on-site at the time, it was never said, but I know that he always had his eye on us when we would all go to the pub, especially in town. Such a kind, considerate & very funny man, so respectful. I remember him trying to teach me the Haka upstairs in a Queenslander (all timber) club in Bowen.. the whole building shook so much they had to hold their drinks. I only ever saw him in arc up once, we were having a quiet beer after work at the Merinda Pub when some fools came in and started picking fights, l went and sat over in the corner with Keith ( safest spot l thought lol), he was watching doing nothing until l was accidentally hit with a piece of wood, he didn't start it but he certainly finished it..... funniest sight seeing him dump a guy upside down in a 44 gallon drum...awesome strength. R.I.P Murdoch ❤
That was brilliant Matt. As a Welsh tight head prop ( same position as Keith) found this video outstanding. I also got married at the Angel hotel! I got divorced a year later, the place must be cursed for front row forwards 😂😂😂😂😂👍
As a schoolboy our coach got 2 of us into the police bar in Salisbury after the All Blacks Rhodesia game. Keith did not play that game & was sitting at the bar in his All Blacks blazer. What a lovely guy. Spoke to us 2 schoolboys as if we were longtime friends. I was stunned when l heard of his altercation with the security guard. To me he was just a gentle giant who gave so much of his free time to talk to 2 starstruck schoolboys
As a 70 year old ex rugby forward I watched this with immense pleasure and respect. Thanks Matt, I always enjoy your respectful, honest and down to earth videos. A joy to watch and enjoy. Cheers buddy 👍
I met Keith in Port Douglas in 1988 and stayed opposite him in a camp there for construction of Mirage Apartments. He was a quiet and lovely man. When we as young blokes would have a few beers in the dongas Keith would come out of his donga to go to dinner. We'd say to Keith " can you keep it down Keith mate your making too much noise" and he would smile and casually walk off. He didnt drink much then but one time at a footy match in a town just north of Port Douglas I had a pie and was just about to take a bite out of it and a large hand came over my shoulder snitched the pie from my grasp and in one gulp was gone and only a cheeky grin remained. A real gentle soul.
Finally someone giving Keith the respect he deserved. In 1971, I regularly traveled for work to Dunedin from Christchurch, and generally stayed at the European Hotel. After work, of course, there were a few drinks in the bar, where there generally would be Keith, especially on a Sunday night, downing a couple. As time went by, I became able to converse easily with him, and a couple of his mates, and found him to be a most quiet, reserved Gentle Giant. We were about the same height, but he was "twice" my breadth - so it felt - and probably was ! Despite sinking many-a-beer, he never got aggressive, in fact, I never saw him raise his voice or fist to anybody. I had the utmost respect for him, and often wondered where he had disappeared to, always hoping he was OK. To have had Keith hit somebody means, to me, there must have been extreme provocation, for this to occur. Keith was pilloried by the Press, and never given a Fair Go. Your story finally clears up any lingering worries.
....yeah, just like today it's always someone else's fault isn't it ? Imagine how it would be today if a drunk All Black assaulted a security guard whilst on tour and what the response would be.
The Burgandy Bar at the European I remember. I went to the Otago Charity Classic Golf Tournie about 1972? and was pointed to the BBar as a place to pull. Even a blind chicken gets a piece of corn sometimes and I learned the easy way that yes indeed it was a great place to pull a woman.You lucky man knowing Keith to have a beer with, mind you Fergie McCormick playing at the same golf course my parents were 'live in caterers' at was also cool for a 12 year old boy, I used to talk to him in the clubhouse (19th Hole) when he was the AB and Canterbury fullback,that was a buzz.
@wickedwaiata2939 I'm 3 years older than Keith and followed his career closely. We all thought Keith got a raw deal over that, and was treated like a scape goat. Bob. NZ.
I grew up in New Zealand -though born and live again in Devon- but the story of this man reminds me of the stereotypical Kiwi Bloke that I understand is a rarer breed in NZ these days. I was there 1967 -75 and those were the days when 'men were men' and in NZ that meant little emotion was allowed or expressed and all types of pain both physical and emotional were to be borne without complaint . What a shame he felt he had let himself and his team mates down and just wanted to disappear into obscurity as a result of that. Its good that the ABs still honour his memory.
Yeah the men of New Zealand were a different tough breed back then, as we Aussie's say of the Kiwi blokes back then 'thats when men were men and the sheep afraid"
Sheep were nervous you Gin Jockey and the chances of you Ozzies beating the All Blacks to win the Bledisloe Cup are few and far between, you have a better chance in Rugby League...just a minute didn't we just whip the Kangaroo's butts by a record margin to win the Pacific Championship where you were kept scoreless to our 30 point humbling?!@@Antipodean33
Thanks , incredible story .As a Welshman and remembering the game in Cardiff .I must say that I have never heard of this story before .He seems to have had a very bad time with the press and also his own Rugby Union ..Respect ,great player and a gentleman .
Indeed Kel, I was a young fan of Keith at the time and I was gutted for him and when he never returned to Kiwiville myself and all my football team mates were as upset as hell, we idolised the guy.
:) Jeez you must be an olde bugger Kel. Good one mate, i was up at 2 am listening to that game from Ch-Ch NZ and when Keith scored every kid at my school was STOKED we learned at school on Monday morning. The era of Oysters being 35 cents a dozen is now $35. I hadn't realized that Oysters had such a big wage increase.
I grew up in Cardiff and my sister worked in the Angel Hotel for years, and i can tell you this story is legendary at our local rugby club.Thanks for giving more depth and background to Keith, what really happened to the man and his character.
all the barbarian rugby tours stayed in the Angel ,lot of the rugby tours did i believe All Blacks etc etc the storys from Cardiff Penarth are stuff of legends 👊👊
Was at the game in Cardiff. Was at the Angel afterwards. Had a good time talking to the security guard before the incident. Emigrated to Australia. Know your story line there to be also, quite true. Well done, thank you. Wonderful story, well delivered.
He is and after Matts' fine vid now tons more shall forever be enlightened on the man and learn the actual story away from pub gossip and BS that accompanies boozed up talk.
I was just a young Canterbury school boy in those days listening to the radio at the early hours of the morning to the AB games abroad and remember the games and the Murdoch incident. I can always remember my dad saying there would be more to this than meets the eye and your video gave as fair and account as any, so respect to you for that. Next time I’m in Carnarvon I’ll sort his grave out and place some flowers for the quiet man
Really interesting story. Rugby players keep their violence for the field and Keith sounds like a stand up guy who trod his own path. Respect to him. RIP Keith and thanks for publishing this story.
Goodonya putting the video together. I can fill in a little bit more of his story. I did my geology studies in Dunedin and moved over to Aussie to work in the mines in 1981. In the mid 90's I was working at the White Devil gold mine in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, and Keith Murdoch was working as an underground miner there at the time (1995 maybe 1996). Very quiet, solid no nonsense worker, kept to himself, and it was only when another mine worker pointed out that we had an All Black working with us at White Devil that I learnt a bit of his story. Tennant Creek is in the middle of the Northern Territory and has a bit of a reputation as 'the armpit of Australia' but has had a great mining history since 'Australia's last gold rush' there in the early 1930s. Keith in part of that history ... the Kiwi's at the mine were all pretty chuffed to have a legend in our number.
Thanks Matt , its good to see the great man being remembered . I met Keith around New Years 1976 on a Saturday morning at the Wanaka Hotel . I was under aged but had worked the night before and felt like a beer . The barman wasnt going to serve me , until Keith who was sitting on a stool at the bar asked the barman to serve me . He certainly wasnt chatty but a man I'll never forget .
@CRAIG5835 thanks Craig, I think he was a very shy man also.He really didn't deserve to get his life turned upside down for basically getting in a fight. Also judging by matt"s video, the person in question wasn't badly damaged.
I know next to nothing about rugby or Mr. Murdoch but this was one heck of a story about how people deal with adversity in life. Keith Murdock by all accounts was a self-contained man who carried his burden alone. I wouldn't have taken his route but it was likely the one best suited to him. RIP Mr. Murdock.
Another great video, one of your best Matt. You should do one on Brian Thomas the neath and Wales rugby player. He was considered too rough to go with the British Lions to New Zealand to play against the All Blacks and was never picked for Wales again after there were allegations of biting in a match against England. He played in a local Derby against Aberavon and came out of a maul with blood streaming from his mouth and fan shouted "Aberavon you better count your players, I think he's eaten one".
Excellent presentation! It’s clear from your tone and demeanour that you have a genuine respect and admiration for the topics/men you discuss on your channel and this truly comes through as it’s obvious you also posses a talent for researching the topics and then the presentation that follows. Thus far I have pretty much watched all your videos and what appeals is your admiration for true hard men but men who are infact, gentle giants, who only ever resort to their “skill set” amongst their own kind or in defence of those who do not posses the inclination towards violence. I have an appreciation for excellent stories like these. Hope you do more of them.
Fabulous. Really appreciate this knowledge of Keith. A remarkable season of rugby, if memory serves me right, the fist time in New Zealand, we could watch Tests live. So this mans day was fascinating, and what happened and the mystery of. RIP Keith. He was certainly not the hardest man on that tour.... he may have been the gentle giant.
Thanks again Matt for another intriguing article. I’d never heard of this before and was fascinated by it. It’s a huge place here in WA, and anyone could just go missing if they truly wanted to. Thanks again mate. 👍🏼👍🏼
I'm an old Aussie prop and I can't believe I've never heard this story. While I am Australian, I'm a great admirer of the AB's and the consistency they've displayed over time to be one of the greatest Rugby sides of all. I think I can understand his desire to disappear considering how poorly he was treated by NZ Rugby and facing the prospect of returning to NZ to be confronted by a pack of media mongrels eager for something new to exaggerate about. Rest in peace Keith.
Another brilliant video Matt 👍, I remember reading about Keith after his passing , he lived his life on his own terms and seemed like an honest decent man 👍
that was a really good video. I live in Sydney, lots of KIWI mates, I'll ask them in the pub about big Keith Murdoch tomorrow. It's great how you pull these gems out of nowhere for us Matt, fair play.
Had a friend who played with Keith around the club scene and described him as a very powerful man but quiet and respectful who could knock back a few beers when so inclined. He was very generous and purchased one of the club juniors a pair of new boots when he saw the player coming off the field after a game with boots held together by tape. He also donated one of his All Black jerseys to a local charity. The classic story of Keith was told by All Black great Colin Meads referred to here in one of the comments, but there was more to the story and it was believed to be during a North v South doubling as an All Black Trial game. Won't repeat it here but it was often told by someone at an after dinner function and did the rounds for years. Many journos over the years tried to make contact with Keith while he move around the northern parts of Oz, but either ran into mates who refused to disclose his whereabouts or were actively discouraged. The very few who tracked him down got a rude welcome.
@@mattlegg1976 in short, apparently Meads had two goes at Murdoch in the line out away from the ball and he shook it off without response but Meads was sure retribution would come. At an injury break as he was captain, he drew the black team around him and said: "Look boys the selectors have not come here today to see a forward battle. Lets get our backs into action and show some running rugby." Addressing the first five, who might have been Mac Herewhini, Meads said something like: "For gods sake move the ball on and don't kick the bloody thing out."
Great story, so sad he passed too soon. He sounds like he was a hard man on the outside with a soft centre, so many people like this are misunderstood.
He also used to pick up a rotary mower and use it like a hedge cutter ! I think he and the boys had a few beers and Keith got hungry and went looking to get a feed,and and some jumped up guard got lippy and Murdoch sparked him out! It should have been end of the matter then, and as a Kiwi it's always pissed me off how he was treated.great show Matt as always and hope you and yours are well..
Yep this is true. As a boy I worked part time for the local butcher in Auckland. He had grown up with Keith in NZ and he told me that stoey, that Keith used to trim his hedge by holding up a lawn mower horizontal. F**k me.
Hello Matt Excellent video as usual Wow, what a story you’ve Gotta be tough working in Western Australia doing that job in those times couldn’t even imagine it. And Rescuing that child from drowning, but shame about he never got to meet his long lost son funny how life turns out for us all good and bad the man was definitely misunderstood by some. Sounded like he had a heart of gold. RIP God bless him. Stay safe and well mate.
Great story and research Matt. I had never heard of Keith or his story before. Love hearing stuff like this. Such a shame he never got to meet his lad though.
@@mattlegg1976 Yeah, a real bummer for Keith and his boy Matt. GREAT job you did on this and the comments from the USA and all over the world from non rugby places and folks who appreciate this vid must be a buzz for you. GG, well done and no doubt you picked up some new subbers. You really do put out a fine product sir.
What a great video on someone I didn't know about. As an Aussie I think that us and the Kiwi's share a particular sporting hatred of each other,,,,,but at the end of the day and after the match we are all ANZAC's (or all love our ANZAC's) so we are all good mates. Excellent video, I shall be watching more :) As an ex serviceman, I would like to bring your attention to yet another remarkable Kiwi, Charles Hazlitt Upham.....look him up....a bar to his Victoria Cross which means awarded twice.
Very nice video on a very interesting subject told in a very simple way. Just a man standing on a bridge recounting a story. Nothing else required. Good job.
Quality upload again Mat (hope you don’t mind me calling you Mat👍🏼) I’ve no idea where you find out about these unique and exciting individuals but keep it up, I’ve got “near fatal” man flu and this is the most I’ve enjoyed anything in days… as for this gent… I love a man who stands by his convictions 💕 As a suggestion have you considered “Nosher” Powell? I read his autobiography years ago and have no idea of its accuracy, but found it to be one of the best biographies I’ve read🥳
I'm from Toronto and not familiar with rugby and this culture, and never heard of Keith Not sure how it came up in my feed but I really enjoyed this RIP Keith, a true original
Wow. Another fantastic and interesting video. I’m not really into Rugby, Boxing and Football being my thing, but these characters transcend the sports they played. Really great these Matt. When you mentioned Peter Grant, as a musician, I couldn’t help but think of Led Zeppelin’s no nonsense manger ha. Can’t wait for the next one mate 👍🏻
Thank you. It was a story well worth telling. I did notice that the female news reporter stated that Keith "hid out" in Australia. What a disappointing remark. I'm from America, and I know about 'walkabouts'.
I recall Keith as an All Black, an impressive man, enigmatic and really he didn't deserve the humiliation of being sent home. I am just sad that I lived not far away in his last years, occasionally visited Carnarvon so buying him a beer would have been a good thing. My tribute and appreciation. I remember the game, little Sid Going was my hero in those days.
What a brilliant story Matt! Thank you for sharing this. The effort of researching and editing is not lost on your Fans! This is one of those rare times where the RUclips Algorithms get it spot on with their "You Might Be Interested In This" post. I was very much enamored with the complete back story as well of Keith Murdoch. I'm looking forward to checking out your Video Library and will absolutely Sub so thank you for saving me a seat on this ride! Cheers from Columbus, Ohio 👋
Nice one Matt . I think I always had a pretty one-sided view of Keith Murdoch but your short film about him reminds me that there is always more to a person than the bad reputation they might have. I've always felt a bit sorry for him and I agree with Brodie when he says his situation was badly managed . All the same , you could have shown some of the outright nasty sportsmanship he was capable of ( in a time when some lawlessness was somewhat expected in rugby ). I'd say he was a bit of a runaway powder keg on that tour
I noticed the same British media that hounded Murdoch out of that tour had nothing to say when a member of a British rugby league team, their national side, broke the jaw and hospitalised a member of the public when on tour in NZ, complete silence. Murdoch has a lot less to be ashamed of than the British media.
He was obviously a different man/&player when on the pitch..man had that much pride when he got sent of he probably was so ashamed and it had a dramatic effect on him that he lived in solitude for forty years...A friendly giant off a man off the pitch. R.i.p. bigman 🇮🇪
Keith was let down badly by Ian Kirkpatrick and the boys who should've had his back and if he went they all go. Tragic and not the way for Keith to have gone out. We always hold Keith in the highest regard.
They did all have his back, watch the video again, Murdoch pleaded with them to not abandon the tour because of the incident, Even greater respect to the man for that.
@@tameimpala37 why was his transgression overplayed, what was the involvement of the security guard. Everyone who knew him stated he never started a fight.
By crikey, THANKS for this in depth report on Keith, Matt. I thought his story and the fact that he was a genuine right 'Ard Bastid would pique your curiosity and I thank you for that, it is the most comprehensive video I have EVER watched about the mysterious Mr Murdoch.As a kid of about7 years oldI lived by Lancaster Park in Christchurch New Zealand, Canterbury is our team at National Competition and Ranfurly Shield level and Canterbury held the Shield around that time. Canterbury was playing Keith's team Otago and we were replete with several All Blacks at that point including forwards which was Murdoch's department. Despite being in the losing team that day Keith absolutely dominated the Canterbury forward pack to the point that he took precedence in this 7-year-old boy's head and more impressively this performance was against the supposed best props in the world of rugby. Ten minutes before full time I was skirting the side line awaiting the final whistle so I could grab some All Blacks autographs and actually touch these 'great men'. Luckily for me there were a ton of line-outs in the final ten minutes so I was about 15 feet away from Keith Murdoch during these times where the ball was thrown into the forwards who jump high to try and win the football while the others form a base to protect the ball winner when he returned to the deck so I got to witness, POINT BLANK the goings on in what is called 'The Engine Room' where all the dirt goes in among the tuff lumps of each team, or as it was called back then, The Biff. Well to say that this game was Keith's breakthrough performance is an understatement, Murdoch DOMINATED and it became obvious that the hard men of the Red and Blacks didn't want any more Keith fkn Murdoch and the ref's final whistle couldn't come soon enough for them. He looked to me from 15 feet away, with his Mex mustache like a MAN among MEN and I can't blame the Canterbury guys if they thought the same thing...'Oh sheet, hes got the ball and he's a coming at me, or I have the ball and he is on his way to SNOT me!' He was THAT impressive. I was stoked later that year when I heard he made the All Blacks. When he scored the winner against VERY formidable Wales team of that era I was really chuffed for the guy who had become my hero in a way.To learn of that DREADFUL Ernie Todd (Manager who sent Keith home) decision, I put it down to Ernie was not thinking properly because he was taking Morphine for the cancer he concealed from the team and the New Zealand Rugby Union, else he was never allowed to take an All Black team abroad on a lengthy tour, as they toured for a few months back in the amateur era and the Medics NEVER allow a cancer patient away to tour for three months and Todd obviously was never going to iss his chance that few men in New Zealand get, to Coach the All Blacks on an overseas tour, come hell or high water. He blew it and absolutely changed forever the life of the great Keith Murdoch, an absolute travesty to witness and behold. RIP Keith. Ernie Todd...do your best son.Cheers Matt.
What a fantastic message, the way you described seeing Keith in action, I could see it clearly.
Brilliant.
And thank you for the message and for suggesting Keith to me.
As soon as I heard the story, I knew I had to get a video going
👊🥊
Brilliant video and a fantastic suggestion.
Though I'm not a follower of rugby especially union, i come from a city with 2 professional rugby league teams so I have heard of Mr Murdoch, but never knew his story.
It truly is fascinating.
Anyone that like to see a good scrap on RUclips watch rugby league fights from the 70s and 80s
You won't be disappointed.
@@davidsilverstein5079
Nice one, thank you very much 🥊👊
That's hearty ❤️ God speed you and Matt.
What a man 40 years in the out back. He sounds like a good man
Keith Murdoch was an amazing man - I played rugby in Dunedin at the time Keith was active and drank with him on several occasions and can “add” a bit to your story. Keith was a barman at the Ravensbourne Hotel, Dunedin and was an approachable guy before the incident in Wales. On one occasion Keith was behind the bar and simply reached down to pick up a crate and put his back out! I was drinking at the Gardens Tavern, Dunedin and it was absolutely jam packed to the rafters. It was shoulder to shoulder at the bar trying to get a drink! Suddenly I was aware of a space forming around me as I was right up against the bar. I turned to look into Keith’s chest - his mere presence had parted the crowd like Moses parted the waters. Keith had a mate who hung around with him, the mate was a sausage short of a BBQ but Keith looked after that guy like a father and no one made any fun of him! The incident with the car - Keith had a Mini [no towbar of course] and he took a tow rope in his right hand [out of the window] and towed a MkI Triumph 2000! I asked Keith about the infamous incident in the test match in SA where there was a great dust-up in the scrum. Keith said [with a bit of a lisp] “Well, the scrum went down and pow, I couldn’t see out of my right eye, but I saw through my left eye, Frik Du Preez was preparing to come through between the prop to hit me again so I parted my prop and went hammer and tongs”. Anyone who has played in the front row will understand the immense strength needed to “part your prop” when the scrum has bound! My understanding of Keith was that he wasn’t one to start a fight, but he certainly wouldn’t back down. He was immensely loyal and a true friend to those he called “friend’. Keith was actually quite fragile and the incident in Wales and the relentless MSM harassment destroyed a great man. I hope he now has peace - we’ll have a beer again, good on ya big fella!
Good one mate. I was a nipper of 7 when I first saw him play and my mates and I got to hero worship him at the time, we of course didn't realise what hero worshipping was but as I aged i see that it was indeed hero worshipping. I actually welled up watching Matt's tribute here, thanks for your ten cents worth, I had forgotten he was a barman until you mentioned it. Yes a strong bugger, Fergie McCormick was once at Windsor Golf Club where I lived as my parents were live on premises caretakers/caterers (Best days of my life BTW) after he returned from the infamous tour of South Africa where Fergie returned home Black and Blue with bruises STILL. Anyways Fergie was talking about Keith's massive strength and reckoned the best feat of strength he ever saw from a man was when Murdoch used to crush the old beer cans downward with one hand and flatten them, remember how strong the pre aluminium cans were, most guys couldn't crush them using BOTH hands, NOT Keith. You were privy to some magical moments there fella, obv they have remained with you for your life, you lucky bugger.
"Sausage short of a BBQ" 😂 I haven't heard that one in a while.
I have a 1978 mini with a tow bar and cart stuff in it in the Wairarapa.
😊
I'm
I met Keith in Townsville North Queensland a couple of months after the sending home incident.
Flating with a Kiwi friend who actually went to school with Kieth in Dunedin we bumped into him at the Esplanade pub in Townsville. We became good mates.
I was working on a construction site north of Townsville and actually got him a job driving a scrapper for an earth moving company on the site.
Keith was a gentle giant and a quiet unassuming lovely man.
He never spoke of the sending home incident so we never asked.
Cheers
Brilliant story.
Geeze wonder he didnt bash you for putting him in a widow maker Scraper.... Just jokin.
Growing up in Ch Ch N.Z (Born in 1961) I would often hear the story of Kieth, always wondered what happened to him.
Cheers for the story, ended up in QLD meself operating all sorts all over the place back in the early 80's till now. Merry xmas
KM was the type of guy that you didn't ask, if you didn't know, that's because 'You didn't need to know.'
Gold mate👍🙏
I met and worked with Keith in Bowen (Merinda) while l working as a stop/go girl for Citra Construction's in '83. He was the quietest, sweetest man, so very likeable, quite shy. When we would go to the pub after work he was always quiet and sat & drank just on the outside of our loud group.
I smile remembering that he used to operate the grader in thongs as they didn't make work boots in his size at that time.
One big night at a club in Bowen, which was a high set old Queenslander (all timber) he cut loose and did the Haka....the whole top floor was shaking & rattling lol. Such a lovely, lovely man.❤
I was so lucky to meet & befriend Keith while working & living in a construction camp when we both worked for Citra Constructions at Merinda (near Bowen QLD) in '83. It was suprising that such a big man could move so gracefully, gently & quietly. Before meeting him, l asked my Dad "Who's the big guy that sits on his own quietly in the corner at the pub?" And dad told me his story but to keep quiet about it. I was amazed at the story and so full of respect for him, he was treated appallingly by Rugby NZ! I remember he would wear thongs/flip flops while operating the machinery because they didn't make workboots in his size lol. I was only 20 and one of only 3 females on-site at the time, it was never said, but I know that he always had his eye on us when we would all go to the pub, especially in town. Such a kind, considerate & very funny man, so respectful. I remember him trying to teach me the Haka upstairs in a Queenslander (all timber) club in Bowen.. the whole building shook so much they had to hold their drinks. I only ever saw him in arc up once, we were having a quiet beer after work at the Merinda Pub when some fools came in and started picking fights, l went and sat over in the corner with Keith ( safest spot l thought lol), he was watching doing nothing until l was accidentally hit with a piece of wood, he didn't start it but he certainly finished it..... funniest sight seeing him dump a guy upside down in a 44 gallon drum...awesome strength.
R.I.P Murdoch ❤
A fantastic message, thank you very much 🥊👊
WOW thank you for that story
@@Wolf-hh4rv he was a special man ❤️
yes terrible what nz did to him
@oldguy8177able yes it was, he was a very gentle & sensitive man
That was brilliant Matt. As a Welsh tight head prop ( same position as Keith) found this video outstanding. I also got married at the Angel hotel! I got divorced a year later, the place must be cursed for front row forwards 😂😂😂😂😂👍
🤣🤣 That really made laugh.
Its great that you see the funny side of it, lol
And I'm glad you liked the video.
All the best 🥊👍
Bloody hell! Never played rugby, but just in case I definitely won’t be visiting!
😂
Well done for hanging on in for the anniversary,full respect sir!
@@wingcommanderdaltonwalton67 😂😂
As a schoolboy our coach got 2 of us into the police bar in Salisbury after the All Blacks Rhodesia game. Keith did not play that game & was sitting at the bar in his All Blacks blazer. What a lovely guy. Spoke to us 2 schoolboys as if we were longtime friends. I was stunned when l heard of his altercation with the security guard. To me he was just a gentle giant who gave so much of his free time to talk to 2 starstruck schoolboys
That's great to hear, everyone that knew or met him say's the same thing 👊🥊
As a 70 year old ex rugby forward I watched this with immense pleasure and respect. Thanks Matt, I always enjoy your respectful, honest and down to earth videos. A joy to watch and enjoy. Cheers buddy 👍
💯 mate.
Definitely!!
I met Keith in Port Douglas in 1988 and stayed opposite him in a camp there for construction of Mirage Apartments. He was a quiet and lovely man. When we as young blokes would have a few beers in the dongas Keith would come out of his donga to go to dinner. We'd say to Keith " can you keep it down Keith mate your making too much noise" and he would smile and casually walk off. He didnt drink much then but one time at a footy match in a town just north of Port Douglas I had a pie and was just about to take a bite out of it and a large hand came over my shoulder snitched the pie from my grasp and in one gulp was gone and only a cheeky grin remained. A real gentle soul.
🤣 Thats brilliant, thanks for the message 🥊
Finally someone giving Keith the respect he deserved.
In 1971, I regularly traveled for work to Dunedin from Christchurch, and generally stayed at the European Hotel.
After work, of course, there were a few drinks in the bar, where there generally would be Keith, especially on a Sunday night, downing a couple. As time went by, I became able to converse easily with him, and a couple of his mates, and found him to be a most quiet, reserved Gentle Giant. We were about the same height, but he was "twice" my breadth - so it felt - and probably was !
Despite sinking many-a-beer, he never got aggressive, in fact, I never saw him raise his voice or fist to anybody.
I had the utmost respect for him, and often wondered where he had disappeared to, always hoping he was OK.
To have had Keith hit somebody means, to me, there must have been extreme provocation, for this to occur.
Keith was pilloried by the Press, and never given a Fair Go.
Your story finally clears up any lingering worries.
Thank you very much, great to hear from someone who knew him.
I really appreciate your message 🥊👊
....yeah, just like today it's always someone else's fault isn't it ? Imagine how it would be today if a drunk All Black assaulted a security guard whilst on tour and what the response would be.
The Burgandy Bar at the European I remember. I went to the Otago Charity Classic Golf Tournie about 1972? and was pointed to the BBar as a place to pull. Even a blind chicken gets a piece of corn sometimes and I learned the easy way that yes indeed it was a great place to pull a woman.You lucky man knowing Keith to have a beer with, mind you Fergie McCormick playing at the same golf course my parents were 'live in caterers' at was also cool for a 12 year old boy, I used to talk to him in the clubhouse (19th Hole) when he was the AB and Canterbury fullback,that was a buzz.
Keith was a hard man with a heart of gold. No doubt he followed his own path in life, not some life planned out by someone else. May he rest in peace.
Well said. Thank you 🥊👊
Hear Hear, Bob.
I'm so happy to see his All Black team mates, past and present, acknowledge that his situation was mishandled and he deserves a level of respect!
Definitely 🥊👊👍
@wickedwaiata2939 I'm 3 years older than Keith and followed his career closely. We all thought Keith got a raw deal over that, and was treated like a scape goat. Bob. NZ.
Ka Pai eh cuzz. Respec obv.
I grew up in New Zealand -though born and live again in Devon- but the story of this man reminds me of the stereotypical Kiwi Bloke that I understand is a rarer breed in NZ these days. I was there 1967 -75 and those were the days when 'men were men' and in NZ that meant little emotion was allowed or expressed and all types of pain both physical and emotional were to be borne without complaint . What a shame he felt he had let himself and his team mates down and just wanted to disappear into obscurity as a result of that. Its good that the ABs still honour his memory.
I grew up in New Zealand but was born in Devon too....
Yeah the men of New Zealand were a different tough breed back then, as we Aussie's say of the Kiwi blokes back then
'thats when men were men and the sheep afraid"
Sheep were nervous you Gin Jockey and the chances of you Ozzies beating the All Blacks to win the Bledisloe Cup are few and far between, you have a better chance in Rugby League...just a minute didn't we just whip the Kangaroo's butts by a record margin to win the Pacific Championship where you were kept scoreless to our 30 point humbling?!@@Antipodean33
Liar! You grew up in Perth!
Thanks , incredible story .As a Welshman and remembering the game in Cardiff .I must say that I have never heard of this story before .He seems to have had a very bad time with the press and also his own Rugby Union ..Respect ,great player and a gentleman .
Indeed Kel, I was a young fan of Keith at the time and I was gutted for him and when he never returned to Kiwiville myself and all my football team mates were as upset as hell, we idolised the guy.
@CRAIG5835 thanks for the reply Craig ...brilliant to hear from a Kiwi ..
:) Jeez you must be an olde bugger Kel. Good one mate, i was up at 2 am listening to that game from Ch-Ch NZ and when Keith scored every kid at my school was STOKED we learned at school on Monday morning. The era of Oysters being 35 cents a dozen is now $35. I hadn't realized that Oysters had such a big wage increase.
Hi Craig ..Yes I'm 63 years..The game actually broke my heart ..Wales had such an iconic team then
R.I.P Mr Murdoch, that’s one hell of a story great man. You deserve to be remembered! 🙏🏽
Well said. 👊🥊
I grew up in Cardiff and my sister worked in the Angel Hotel for years, and i can tell you this story is legendary at our local rugby club.Thanks for giving more depth and background to Keith, what really happened to the man and his character.
Nice one. Thank you very much 🥊👊
all the barbarian rugby tours stayed in the Angel ,lot of the rugby tours did i believe All Blacks etc etc the storys from Cardiff Penarth are stuff of legends 👊👊
Was at the game in Cardiff. Was at the Angel afterwards. Had a good time talking to the security guard before the incident. Emigrated to Australia. Know your story line there to be also, quite true. Well done, thank you. Wonderful story, well delivered.
Ah wow, thank you for that.
Nice one 👊🥊
Cheers Wynne you olde bugger you. Spring chicken at 66 on Xmas day me but you are OLDE sir!
Sounds like Keith was a one in a million man's man. Cheers, Keith!
I'm just an old guy, but truly thankful you're keeping the faith, and helping to preserve what we know as manhood. Good on you lad!
I appreciate that. Thank you 👊🥊
Awesome brief history of a special man. My our brother Keith always be remembered for the good things he had done. Thank you.
Thank you 🥊👊
He is and after Matts' fine vid now tons more shall forever be enlightened on the man and learn the actual story away from pub gossip and BS that accompanies boozed up talk.
I was just a young Canterbury school boy in those days listening to the radio at the early hours of the morning to the AB games abroad and remember the games and the Murdoch incident. I can always remember my dad saying there would be more to this than meets the eye and your video gave as fair and account as any, so respect to you for that. Next time I’m in Carnarvon I’ll sort his grave out and place some flowers for the quiet man
Really interesting story. Rugby players keep their violence for the field and Keith sounds like a stand up guy who trod his own path. Respect to him. RIP Keith and thanks for publishing this story.
100% thank you 👍🥊
Goodonya putting the video together. I can fill in a little bit more of his story. I did my geology studies in Dunedin and moved over to Aussie to work in the mines in 1981. In the mid 90's I was working at the White Devil gold mine in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, and Keith Murdoch was working as an underground miner there at the time (1995 maybe 1996). Very quiet, solid no nonsense worker, kept to himself, and it was only when another mine worker pointed out that we had an All Black working with us at White Devil that I learnt a bit of his story. Tennant Creek is in the middle of the Northern Territory and has a bit of a reputation as 'the armpit of Australia' but has had a great mining history since 'Australia's last gold rush' there in the early 1930s. Keith in part of that history ... the Kiwi's at the mine were all pretty chuffed to have a legend in our number.
Thanks Matt , its good to see the great man being remembered . I met Keith around New Years 1976 on a Saturday morning at the Wanaka Hotel . I was under aged but had worked the night before and felt like a beer . The barman wasnt going to serve me , until Keith who was sitting on a stool at the bar asked the barman to serve me . He certainly wasnt chatty but a man I'll never forget .
keith murdock his name branded in my head since primary a legend on and off the feild!!!! blessings
Brilliant..🥊👊
I'm not into rugby at all, but this story was fascinating. I had never heard this before, so thanks for sharing this.
Thank you very much 🥊👊
What a legendary man!!! Thanks for sharing his story.. never heard of him before..
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you 👊🥊
Cheers for that I'm in canarvon this Xmas were going to call in and pay our respects to Keith Murdoch...Legendary 💜 MERRY XMAS FROM WA
Ah that's Brilliant. Thank you and Merry Christmas 🥊👊
What an unusual story and unique man. He seemed like a really decent guy who just couldn't handle the unfair bad publicity
My thoughts exactly. Thank you 🥊👊
In a nutshell, Alan, you nailed it.
@CRAIG5835 thanks Craig, I think he was a very shy man also.He really didn't deserve to get his life turned upside down for basically getting in a fight. Also judging by matt"s video, the person in question wasn't badly damaged.
I know next to nothing about rugby or Mr. Murdoch but this was one heck of a story about how people deal with adversity in life. Keith Murdock by all accounts was a self-contained man who carried his burden alone. I wouldn't have taken his route but it was likely the one best suited to him. RIP Mr. Murdock.
Well said, thank you for the message 👊🥊
Nice one. Black Dog.
Absolutely wild story, Matt...
Thanks to you, these legends will live on forever!
Different times back then, you either put up or shut up and get on with life and being humble was the norm. God bless that Man.
Rip KM. 🙏
Fantastic research and presentation, Matt. Keep ‘em coming.
Nice one. Thank you 👍🥊
Awesome! He's a legend. So are you for sharing this legends story with the rest of us!
Cool vid eh Stef!
These are great stories Matt, you have a natural facility for telling them.
Another great video, one of your best Matt. You should do one on Brian Thomas the neath and Wales rugby player. He was considered too rough to go with the British Lions to New Zealand to play against the All Blacks and was never picked for Wales again after there were allegations of biting in a match against England. He played in a local Derby against Aberavon and came out of a maul with blood streaming from his mouth and fan shouted "Aberavon you better count your players, I think he's eaten one".
What a sad story, never heard of him or the tradition and I've been into Rugby for 30 years! Nice video.
Thanks great story awesome you shared it
Thanks for watching. 🥊👊
Excellent presentation!
It’s clear from your tone and demeanour that you have a genuine respect and admiration for the topics/men you discuss on your channel and this truly comes through as it’s obvious you also posses a talent for researching the topics and then the presentation that follows.
Thus far I have pretty much watched all your videos and what appeals is your admiration for true hard men but men who are infact, gentle giants, who only ever resort to their “skill set” amongst their own kind or in defence of those who do not posses the inclination towards violence.
I have an appreciation for excellent stories like these.
Hope you do more of them.
Fabulous. Really appreciate this knowledge of Keith. A remarkable season of rugby, if memory serves me right, the fist time in New Zealand, we could watch Tests live. So this mans day was fascinating, and what happened and the mystery of. RIP Keith. He was certainly not the hardest man on that tour.... he may have been the gentle giant.
A great message, thank you very much 🥊👍
very interesting. im from New Zealand 🇳🇿 i was born in Dunedin
Ah wow. Thank you very much 🥊👍
Thanks again Matt for another intriguing article. I’d never heard of this before and was fascinated by it. It’s a huge place here in WA, and anyone could just go missing if they truly wanted to. Thanks again mate. 👍🏼👍🏼
Thank you for watching. Yeah it's the place to go if you want to get away from everyone 👊🥊
I'm an old Aussie prop and I can't believe I've never heard this story. While I am Australian, I'm a great admirer of the AB's and the consistency they've displayed over time to be one of the greatest Rugby sides of all.
I think I can understand his desire to disappear considering how poorly he was treated by NZ Rugby and facing the prospect of returning to NZ to be confronted by a pack of media mongrels eager for something new to exaggerate about.
Rest in peace Keith.
You tell these stories so well Matt... Nice one mate 👍🥊
What a story thank you Matt, just think of the stories Kieth could tell about his experiences during his time in the Outback. Jack (South Africa)
Thank you Jack. It's an amazing story. Keith would have been a hero if he'd gone back to NZ 🥊👊
I like the way you find different men to talk about ie there from different walks of life cheers .✌️
Thank you. I'm really happy to be learning about these men myself.
Thank you for watching 🥊👊
Another brilliant video Matt 👍, I remember reading about Keith after his passing , he lived his life on his own terms and seemed like an honest decent man 👍
Well said. I totally agree. Thank you 🥊👍
that was a really good video. I live in Sydney, lots of KIWI mates, I'll ask them in the pub about big Keith Murdoch tomorrow. It's great how you pull these gems out of nowhere for us Matt, fair play.
Brilliant mate. Thank you.
Luckily someone suggested Keith Murdoch in comments section, and straight away I found the story fascinating.
👊🥊
Love your videos Matt, best on YT. I love putting them on while I’m having my tea 👍🏻
Had a friend who played with Keith around the club scene and described him as a very powerful man but quiet and respectful who could knock back a few beers when so inclined. He was very generous and purchased one of the club juniors a pair of new boots when he saw the player coming off the field after a game with boots held together by tape. He also donated one of his All Black jerseys to a local charity. The classic story of Keith was told by All Black great Colin Meads referred to here in one of the comments, but there was more to the story and it was believed to be during a North v South doubling as an All Black Trial game. Won't repeat it here but it was often told by someone at an after dinner function and did the rounds for years. Many journos over the years tried to make contact with Keith while he move around the northern parts of Oz, but either ran into mates who refused to disclose his whereabouts or were actively discouraged. The very few who tracked him down got a rude welcome.
Brilliant message, thank you.
I'm intrigued by that story now 🥊👊
@@mattlegg1976 in short, apparently Meads had two goes at Murdoch in the line out away from the ball and he shook it off without response but Meads was sure retribution would come. At an injury break as he was captain, he drew the black team around him and said: "Look boys the selectors have not come here today to see a forward battle. Lets get our backs into action and show some running rugby."
Addressing the first five, who might have been Mac Herewhini, Meads said something like: "For gods sake move the ball on and don't kick the bloody thing out."
That was great a real man
Cheers from new Zealand 🇳🇿
Thank you 🥊👊
Never heard of the man...now I have and I'm grateful.
Every good man needs to be seen.
Thank you sir.
Brilliant. Thank you very much and well said 🥊👊
I was fortunate to work with Keith in WA, he used to say some good one liners and always offered wise advice. 😊
That's brilliant. He was legend from what I've learnt.
Thank you 👊🥊
He was a badass with a heart of gold. Hell of a story. Thanks for sharing. 🍻
Great story Matt, love seeing how your channel has grown, nearly at 50k now, you’re a genuine bloke no b/s like most of the supposed RUclips hardman
Sounds about right Tony.
Thats a YES from me too Tony, Matt has found his calling in life and he is rocking the gig. Can only be up from here in.
I love great stories of Great Men. Ty!
Glad you like them! 🥊
Very interesting story, thanks for sharing
Brilliant. Thank you 👍🥊
@@mattlegg1976 welcome fella, always enjoy your content.
Wow, what a fascinating man Murdoch was. Thanks for highlighting this. Best wishes..
Nice one. Thank you 👊🥊
What a great story enjoyed this one matt ❤
Wow! That was great Matt. All new to me but incredibly well told. How fascinating! Thanks for putting it together and sharing it. RIP Keith.
Thank you very much. 👊🥊👍
Great story, so sad he passed too soon. He sounds like he was a hard man on the outside with a soft centre, so many people like this are misunderstood.
That's what I see aswell . Thank you 🥊👍👊
Keith summed up in a nut-shell.
Great video and great to see Stuart McKinney looking well. Flanker for the Lions in 72. What a lovely man and philanthropist.
A great player and a real hard.man and by all accounts a true gentleman Rip
Succinctly, yes.
Also a terror! He bashed Sunday Times sports writer Norman Harris in a pub because he thought he was a a Pom. Harris came from Cambridge, NZ!!!!
Well done and spoken. Thank you
Thank you very much 👍🥊
He also used to pick up a rotary mower and use it like a hedge cutter ! I think he and the boys had a few beers and Keith got hungry and went looking to get a feed,and and some jumped up guard got lippy and Murdoch sparked him out! It should have been end of the matter then, and as a Kiwi it's always pissed me off how he was treated.great show Matt as always and hope you and yours are well..
Lol, yeah that's right. I think he was insulted by that guard aswell .
Nice one, thank you for the message 🥊👍
Yep this is true. As a boy I worked part time for the local butcher in Auckland. He had grown up with Keith in NZ and he told me that stoey, that Keith used to trim his hedge by holding up a lawn mower horizontal. F**k me.
Hello Matt
Excellent video as usual Wow, what a story you’ve Gotta be tough working in Western Australia doing that job in those times couldn’t even imagine it. And Rescuing
that child from drowning, but shame about he never got to meet his long lost son funny how life turns out for us all good and bad the man was definitely misunderstood by some. Sounded like he had a heart of gold. RIP God bless him.
Stay safe and well mate.
Keith Murdoch, a REAL Hard bastard with a heart of gold. RIP big fella. RESPEC sir.
Fantastic Matt you do a grand job thanks again and appreciate it Matt .
Great story and research Matt. I had never heard of Keith or his story before.
Love hearing stuff like this. Such a shame he never got to meet his lad though.
Thank you. A real shame 👊🥊
@@mattlegg1976 Yeah, a real bummer for Keith and his boy Matt. GREAT job you did on this and the comments from the USA and all over the world from non rugby places and folks who appreciate this vid must be a buzz for you. GG, well done and no doubt you picked up some new subbers. You really do put out a fine product sir.
Fascinating story! 👍
Thank you 👊🥊
What a great video on someone I didn't know about.
As an Aussie I think that us and the Kiwi's share a particular sporting hatred of each other,,,,,but at the end of the day and after the match we are all ANZAC's (or all love our ANZAC's) so we are all good mates.
Excellent video, I shall be watching more :)
As an ex serviceman, I would like to bring your attention to yet another remarkable Kiwi, Charles Hazlitt Upham.....look him up....a bar to his Victoria Cross which means awarded twice.
That's a great message, well said.
And thank you for supporting the channel .
And I will check him out, thank you 👊🥊
Cringe.
Thank you for the telling of a fascinating story of an obviously tremendously interesting man. Cheers
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you 🥊👊
Another great video,a video on Pat Roach from Birmingham would be interesting,he had a very interesting life .
Very nice video on a very interesting subject told in a very simple way. Just a man standing on a bridge recounting a story. Nothing else required. Good job.
Quality upload again Mat (hope you don’t mind me calling you Mat👍🏼) I’ve no idea where you find out about these unique and exciting individuals but keep it up, I’ve got “near fatal” man flu and this is the most I’ve enjoyed anything in days… as for this gent… I love a man who stands by his convictions 💕
As a suggestion have you considered “Nosher” Powell?
I read his autobiography years ago and have no idea of its accuracy, but found it to be one of the best biographies I’ve read🥳
I'm from Toronto and not familiar with rugby and this culture, and never heard of Keith
Not sure how it came up in my feed but I really enjoyed this
RIP Keith, a true original
Thank you very much 🥊👊
Enjoyed that as always big guy. Keep up the good work 👍🏻
A great short film very well narrated Matt and clearly delivered ! Thank you.
Thank you very much John .
👊🥊
As always great video matt 💪
I used to play Rugby for a couple of army teams, love these video's....Well done Matt for doing brilliant content.
Nice one. Thank you 🥊👊
Wow. Another fantastic and interesting video. I’m not really into Rugby, Boxing and Football being my thing, but these characters transcend the sports they played. Really great these Matt. When you mentioned Peter Grant, as a musician, I couldn’t help but think of Led Zeppelin’s no nonsense manger ha. Can’t wait for the next one mate 👍🏻
Two points ..
You're channel and research .. AMAZING 👍
Keith Murdoch .. A REAL "MAN" 💪.
GREAT CHANNEL TOP DRAW .
Thank you. It was a story well worth telling. I did notice that the female news reporter stated that Keith "hid out" in Australia. What a disappointing remark. I'm from America, and I know about 'walkabouts'.
I agree with you. And he should have been a Hero really 👊🥊
A great story. Thank you. 🙏
Thank you for watching Brian 🥊👊
I recall Keith as an All Black, an impressive man, enigmatic and really he didn't deserve the humiliation of being sent home. I am just sad that I lived not far away in his last years, occasionally visited Carnarvon so buying him a beer would have been a good thing. My tribute and appreciation. I remember the game, little Sid Going was my hero in those days.
Well said, and a shame you didn't meet him.
Thank you 🥊👍
Great story, well told.
Thank you very much 🥊👊
What a brilliant story Matt! Thank you for sharing this. The effort of researching and editing is not lost on your Fans! This is one of those rare times where the RUclips Algorithms get it spot on with their "You Might Be Interested In This" post. I was very much enamored with the complete back story as well of Keith Murdoch. I'm looking forward to checking out your Video Library and will absolutely Sub so thank you for saving me a seat on this ride! Cheers from Columbus, Ohio 👋
Nice one Stuey.
@@CRAIG5835 Cheers and your comments about your history growing up in Lancaster Park were very entertaining! 👋
Cool, ty.@@TheStuport
A great Rugby story, thank you
Thank you 🥊👊
Nice one Matt . I think I always had a pretty one-sided view of Keith Murdoch but your short film about him reminds me that there is always more to a person than the bad reputation they might have. I've always felt a bit sorry for him and I agree with Brodie when he says his situation was badly managed . All the same , you could have shown some of the outright nasty sportsmanship he was capable of ( in a time when some lawlessness was somewhat expected in rugby ). I'd say he was a bit of a runaway powder keg on that tour
thanks kuz, I was a kid, my dad and uncles luuuved him they thought he was done dirty!!
Interesting story 👍
Great story. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching 🥊
Sounds like a perfect life to me Matt ? No hassle , no mithering off anyone ! Fredh start ! Sounds good to me ! Hooe your well Mate ; 👍👊🥊🏴
and me mate
I noticed the same British media that hounded Murdoch out of that tour had nothing to say when a member of a British rugby league team, their national side, broke the jaw and hospitalised a member of the public when on tour in NZ, complete silence. Murdoch has a lot less to be ashamed of than the British media.
They pushed him out with soft power, absolutely gross.
Another good one Matt, thanks. A really intriguing tale.
Great story Matt, you are making classy videos 👍
I love these videos about older characters and the comments by people who knew them. 👏🏻❤️
Best wishes for the week, Matt. ❤️
Glad you liked it.
Have a great week
Thank you 👊🥊❤️
He was obviously a different man/&player when on the pitch..man had that much pride when he got sent of he probably was so ashamed and it had a dramatic effect on him that he lived in solitude for forty years...A friendly giant off a man off the pitch. R.i.p. bigman 🇮🇪
Yes I agree with you 👊🥊
Thankyou so much for posting this interesting story! Most appreciated
I did enjoy. Heard a lot what you said but you.placed everything very well. Total respect for Murdock.
Pretty sad story I all. Respect
Thank you Paul 👍🥊
Keith was let down badly by Ian Kirkpatrick and the boys who should've had his back and if he went they all go. Tragic and not the way for Keith to have gone out. We always hold Keith in the highest regard.
'...if he went they all go'. Why? If Murdoch transgressed why must the rest of the players and team be penalised?
They did all have his back, watch the video again, Murdoch pleaded with them to not abandon the tour because of the incident, Even greater respect to the man for that.
agree completely
@@tameimpala37 why was his transgression overplayed, what was the involvement of the security guard. Everyone who knew him stated he never started a fight.
@@treboratat Did you read my comment or just being a dick?
Love your research man I don’t even watch sport really but the way you deliver people’s minds personalities and history is immersive.
Thank you very much. I'm very grateful for your message 👊🥊