Sidney Milton Going was a rugby genius and another rugby hero of mine.
He was an idol of North Auckland fans back in the ’70s, who was one of the main reasons why 40,000 fans would cram into Okara Park, Whangarei. He helped North Auckland, or Northland as they are known now, to hold the Ranfurly Shield, which is unheard of today.
Super Sid was built low to the ground as many halfbacks are, with a muscular strength built up from tough farm work and a hard taskmaster father.
Sid was one of if not the greatest running halfback the world has seen. After scoring two tries against the French in 1968, the French proclaimed him the greatest halfback in the world.
Sid’s battles with Gareth Edwards, the Welsh and British Irish Lions halfback, were legendary, with Super Sid coming out on top over their extensive careers, apart from the 1973 Barbarians versus All Blacks match where Edwards outplayed Going.
The bald Sid, with impressive sideboards, whose appearance was as rare as his rugby strengths, was a match winner, especially close to the opposition line.
A quick look over the top, the instinctive dummy and a quick, powerful surge to the line made him unstoppable. He was an all-round player with added skills of goal kicking, drop kicking and a fierce competitive streak, making him one of North Auckland’s favourite sons.
Scrumhalf Sid Going runs the ball for the All Blacks against the Lions. (Credit: Adrian Murrell/Allsport/Getty Images)
To the rest of New Zealand however, Sidney was not so widely appreciated, with fan-bases often calling for their hometown player to be in the All Blacks. When Chris Laidlaw was injured in 1967, Going was called into the All Blacks against Australia, and he seized the opportunity, then he was selected on the tour to Great Britain.
Laidlaw and Sid were two different players with Chris Laidlaw being a more technically correct halfback with a superior pass. He did not however possess Going’s running ability and match-winning capabilities.
A comparison would be a Frano Botica or Carlos Spencer up against Grant Fox. Sid’s style of play suited the forward dominance of the All Blacks with Ian Kirkpatrick and Alex Wylie as his allies.
It was often cited that the outside backs in the All Blacks were starved of possession when Sid was playing, but I would suggest many of these backs were not match-winning players in the white-hot intensity of a Test match. A bookie would maybe have better odds of Going scoring close to the line than the wingers.
Sid Going was born on August 19, 1943 in Kawakawa, Northland and was educated at Northland College and Church College of New Zealand. His rugby career began at the Mid Northern Rugby Club, and he came to the attention of legendary coach Ted Griffin, making his debut for Northland at the age of 18.
Due to his Mormon faith Sid then went to Canada for two years as a missionary for his church. Upon his return he claimed back his place in the North Auckland team and played for the New Zealand Māori.
In 1966 he was selected for an All Blacks trial, played for the North Island and for the NZ Māori against the British and Irish Lions. It was then that his big opportunity came when Laidlaw was injured, and Sid began his illustrious All Blacks career.
Sid Going played 43 matches for North Auckland over 16 years and built up a magical relationship with his two brothers, Ken, and Brian. Sid had an aggressive running style and added in ‘reverse passes’ to his first-five brother, Brian.
But one of the most magical sights I have seen in all rugby was the Going brothers’ famous triple-scissors move. Watching from the large bank at Okara Park and admiring this move is unforgettable, you had no idea who had the ball or who it was going to.
I’m surprised teams have not tried to replicate this move, but maybe it needed the intuition of three brothers. The late Ken Going often called the play from fullback when he saw the opportunity to pull it from the hat. Ken went on to play for the All Blacks in 1974 and Brian represented the North Island and NZ Māori.
(Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Sid played 29 Tests for the All Blacks from 1967 to 1977, playing his last Test against the Lions after the second Test, replaced by Lyn Davis, who like Laidlaw was viewed as a better passer than Sid.
Some of his highlights include captaining the All Blacks on five occasions, scoring 33 tries, 18 conversions, five penalties and a dropped goal in first class rugby and touring South Africa in 1970 and ’76. He even took over goal-kicking duties in 1976 when stocks became low.
In 1970 he was made an ‘honorary white’ along with Bryan Williams to enable him to play in South Africa. Sid played for the NZ Māori over 12 years, captaining them and being awarded the Tom French Cup on three occasions for outstanding player.
Super Sid retired from first class rugby in 1978, and coached Northland from 1993-96. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to rugby in 1977 and was inducted into the NZ Rugby Hall of Fame in 2020.
It is difficult to analyse why certain players become your rugby heroes. I am a Going fan rather than a Laidlaw supporter. What is it about them that grabs you and you want to replicate if you are a player?
As with Bryan Williams there are parts of Sid’s game that young players want to copy: his reverse passes, running ability and ferocious competitiveness are characteristics to be followed.
I guess I admire players who play with a free spirit and who express themselves. They are not compliant, technically correct, robotic players.
Williams sidestepping in the in-goal area is an example of a player not following the rules! It is what I am like really, wanting freedom rather than officious ruling, so naturally I follow players for their uncommon abilities.
Sid was one of the most unique players to play for the All Blacks, whom many have not been able to copy since. He ranks as one of our most legendary All Blacks despite his share of critics. A devastating runner, inspirational player, and typical modest, humble Kiwi.
Super Sid, another rugby hero.
Andrew Simpson
Guest
I was reading "Nobody Beats Us" by David Tossell (2010), the story of the Welsh Rugby Union team of the 1970s. Interviewing Gareth Edwards, Tossell referred to Edwards's award as the Greatest Rugby Player Ever, and Gareth replied, "I don't know about that. I played against Sid Going six times and I thought he outplayed me." I thought that was really nice, and I thought that possibly Gareth undervalued his own amazing passing, which produced so many tries for his back line. Good Luck.
Boatperson
Roar Rookie
If you haven’t already, have a read of Laidlaw’s book “Mud in your eye”. One of the best rugby books I’ve read.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Yep, he was good alright. Not always perfect but name me the perfect rugby player.
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
As a kid I was brought up on the story of Laidlaw's passing prowess. I guess that's why I was so impressed when Loveridge popped up on the Grand Slam tour. The way he swept the ball off the deck seemed so effortless. Laidlaw and Going would be a world class starter/super sub combo in the modern era.
Boatperson
Roar Rookie
Great article. I once saw Going play for Northland against Auckland. The Auckland Number 8 broke off the back of a scrum and got up a head of steam. Going tackled him at knee-height and stopped him dead in his tracks. He then proceeded to lift him and topple him back the way he came onto I his back. The strength required to do that from such an awkward, low, tackling position was incredible. Great memories!
Boatperson
Roar Rookie
One NZ journalist once wrote that Chris Laidlaw had pass so long and accurate that “he could make a pommy soccer player look like a good 1st 5”
Boatperson
Guest
I once saw Going play for Northland against Auckland. The Auckland Number 8 broke off the back of a scrum and got a head of steam up. Going tackled him at about knee height, stopped him dead in his tracks and then proceeded to lift him and dump him flat onto his back. The strength needed to do this from an awkward low position was incredible. Great memories!!
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Totally agree with you there. Out of all those players and others... just remembered that saying about what tactics the All Blacks would use, the reply? "get the ball and give it to Jonah" was about it.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh Peter, very much so, mate, But IMO. Jonah, was exceptional, as we will possibly not see another like him in our lifetime. To, even, to be able to play, at the level, he did, for the length of time he did, whilst quietly suffering from that sickness he had, was absolutely freakish. Just imagine what he would have been like if he had of had full fitness, in every aspect. Yeh to me, he was a freak of nature. RIP.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
I never doubted what you said Muzzo. Sid is a legend too, that is my opinion. It happened to me yesterday when a post on FB made me think someone said "vaccinations" when in actual fact the word was "vacations" but I could have sworn it was the former, caught a few people out. My point being that you have to read the words and not have your mind made up previously. If you read what I said I stated that those players, Jonah etc"were capable of brilliance and able to turn a match" Do you agree with that?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well Peter we all have an opinion, Mate, but i'm talking from a ' Johnny on the spot' observer. I went to High school in Dunedin with Laidlaw, but I never held him in high esteem as a person. He was, however, a very good rugby player, & first, when selected as an AB, displaced the ex Wallaby, come AB, in Des Connor. a very good half back, as most will remember. Laidlaw at the time was only 19, & admittedly, throughout his career, possibly mainly through his studies was in & out of the AB side. In Sid, Sid never displaced him, as when Laidlaw was available he always got the nod. Who was it, as I think it might have been Ivan Vidanovich, when he was coach, told Laidlaw that he'd never score a try between the posts. When asked why, by Chris, the reply was ' Because your head is to big. I can relate to that. True Sid was classed as a running HB, behind the AB pack, as at the time, that was what the AB coaches wanted, & Laidlaw was always there, to set the backline alight, with such players as Earl Kirton, Ian McRae, & so forth. He, Laidlaw, did have a pass, every bit as good as todays Aaron Smith. As I previously said, I was in attendance at an Inter Island match, where Sid opposed Laidlaw, & was very surprised when Laidlaw, played the running game that day , & completely outplayed Sid. I was surprised myself in that respect. Actually to even suggest that Sid was in the same class as Jonah, or even the Paekakariki Express, Mate, IMO is a bit over, as I wouldn't put Laidlaw in that class. Like Jonah, RIP, himself, is a legend, above all. Cheers.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
At the start of his career Sid was second string to Laidlaw but claimed the no 1 position soon after. I'm sure peoples opinions of Sid are mainly related to what part of NZ you lived in. If you were from Otago, Laidlaw was your pick, Northland, it was Sidney. I'm sure Laidlaw was a very fine player and technically better than Sid but why is he not as revered as Going? Is it because of their contrasting personalities, one a farmer, the other a Rhodes Scholar, politician and broadcaster? Do Kiwis relate better to the humble, self effacing, shy type? David Kirk another one like Laidlaw. Not fitting the typical rugby mould. Definitely not a criticism by me though. I admire people like Kirk and Laidlaw as those who stamp their individuality. I put Sid up there with BeeGee, Jonah, Christian Cullen, Carlos Spencer as players capable of brilliance to turn a game but were not your typical player.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
And yet, even though Sid was classed as a running half back, for the AB's, he did have a shocking pass at times. He was after all, the second string, to Chris Laidlaw, when he was available. Some say that at the time, Laidlaw was there for that magnificent pass he had, behind the AB scrum, & lineout, therefore Sid was his benchwarmer. After all it was Laidlaw that taught Gareth Edwards how to throw that long pass, when Chris was at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. But then, in those days, I was at an Inter Island game, to witness Going up against Laidlaw, & was surprised, at the time, how Laidlaw had it all over Sid in the running game, by brushing off, bumping off Sid on a few occasions. As it was Laidlaw, from memory, virtually never played that type of game behind an AB pack, as they more or least used his pass.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
I was very fortunate to see him play for Northland. Anyone south of the Auckland Harbour Bridge possibly had different views about him.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
Great conversation!I missed watching it all in terms of age, by very little, but can remember the old man yelling out his name...in a good way.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Refereeing was shocking. The All Black backs were not great and goalkicking was poor. Sid had to take over the kicking. This is from rugby talk.com: "Going was superb on the day; he created both Joe Morgan’s try and the drop kick by Doug Bruce with two splendid reverse passes the one to Bruce between his legs under extreme pressure. Going’s greatest on field contribution was, however, his tactical kicking; he kept the Springboks under pressure with long raking rolling kicks down the touch line and with some splendid aerial punts both of which poor old Dawie Snyman had no idea how to handle. Going’s greatest match winning contribution was, nonetheless, not on the playing field but in what he did before the match. Terry McLean explains: Not by nature a man who cared to offer opinions before they had been asked for, Sid took to brooding about the state of mind of the New Zealand team. It seemed to him the All Blacks had persuaded themselves that their loss of the first test was the fault of luck and Ian Gourlay. Many South Africans told them this. Easy comfort. But not for Super-Sid. In his opinion, the All Blacks had missed too many important tackles, they had muffed passes and catches, they had chucked away changes. In a word, they had not been unlucky to lose. They had beaten themselves. Going took his problem to Andy Leslie. He argued his case. Something must be done, he said as a shake-up. Leslie agreed. Steps were taken to get hold of the film of the Durban test. A general meeting was called of the players. The film was shown. The inquesting began. Tackles missed here, balls dropped there – Dinna ye see it, boys. The boys saw. They argued. They beat their breasts and rent their hair. They began to fire up. On the morning of the test, Gerhard Burger, the charming, capable, courteous correspondent of the Vaderland, walked along the corridor of the hotel floor reserved for the All Blacks. He sensed the mood. “I knew then,” he said, “that there was no way the Springboks were going to win this match.”
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
You have to be a hard man to criticise Sidney! I believe it says more about the person with an opinion than the player?
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Remember Sid fondly mate. His blind side work with Grant Batty was a highlight. Two diminutive, but hard as rocks, players making fools of bigger fellas in the trams. Great stuff thanks Peter...
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
There will be many who did not see it, such a brilliant move to witness. Must have taken hours of practise. Don't know if they ever pulled it outside of Whangarei?
Tetoko
Guest
The toughest test match series I ever watched on tv was the 76 SA tour played against rugged big forwards fast backs and knew particular one eyed ref whose name Gert Bezeidenhout I still can't forget or forgive. Sid was just masterly marshalling the forwards, snoping and setting the backs alight when necessary and one one pass he made behind a scrum between his legs for his 1st five to kick a dropped goal was special. Tough of body, quick of thought and a brilliant sniping runner. Yes, my number #1 too.