The Otago Daily Times counts down the 150 greatest moments in Otago sport.
No 39: Jeff and Josh stay loyal (1995)
New Zealand's national game was in turmoil in 1995, and not because the All Blacks had fallen ill and lost a dramatic World Cup final in South Africa. Though that still hurts.
After operating under the veil of "shamateurism" for decades, rugby finally saw the light, turning professional when it became apparent there was simply no other choice.
The establishment looked in big trouble when the upstart World Rugby Corporation started throwing massive cheques around.
Most of the world's leading players, including the All Blacks, initially appeared happy to throw tradition, loyalty and the All Black jersey out the door in pursuit of a bulging wage.
But the New Zealand Rugby Union, led by dealmaker Jock Hobbs, kept up the fight, and when Otago players Jeff Wilson and Josh Kronfeld broke ranks to stay with the national union, the war was soon all over.
In his book, On The Loose, written with Brian Turner, Kronfeld reflected on the crisis and his and Wilson's decision to stay loyal.
"My most intense loyalties were with the Otago team. My best mates were there. Otago had been my springboard to All Black honours. I wanted to continue to be an All Black and, when not playing for them, I wanted to turn out for the blue and golds of Otago. I felt a lot closer to the Otago guys, and the local scene generally, than I did to the All Blacks."
Wilson said, in the end, it was an easy decision to make, even after he had signed the initial contract with the World Rugby Corporation.
"If Ross Turnbull's WRC plans had succeeded, rugby world-wide would have been dealt a devastating blow," Wilson said in Seasons of Gold, by Ron Palenski.
"The All Black thing was a powerful magnet, more powerful than the money. Josh took the view that he had been an All Black in seven tests but he wanted to be a great All Black and play many more.
"My view was that if we didn't sign there wouldn't be any All Blacks left. Without wanting to sound like a martyr, we had the chance of saving the All Blacks.
We knew that if we signed with the NZRFU, others would follow and the WRC would be history.
"It was a momentous decision. But it was also an easy decision. It was a question of ensuring the All Black tradition was not devalued."
