On Wednesday the club was informed that a gent was outside the club and wished to see the memorabilia but didn’t know we were not open. He had come from Australia on behalf of a good friend in New Zealand.
The gent outside St Helen’s was Theohary (‘Harry’) Makridakis from Brisbane and his close friend is Claude Stevens. Claude is the great grandson of All Blacks legend George Nepia. George as a 19 year old went on the 1924 tour of Britain, Ireland and France. He turned out at full-back and such was his skill, judgment and athleticism, that he played in ALL 32 matches of the tour, New Zealand winning every match and justifiably acquiring the tag of ‘Invincibles’.
George Nepia’s great grandson Claude Stevens had asked his great friend Harry to retrace the steps of the ‘Invincibles’ to Swansea where George had such great memories. Harry was able to see the memorabilia connected to 1924 and other eras when Swansea have faced New Zealand. A couple of hours passed very quickly and Harry was soon on his way, with some great memories of his own. We have since heard from Claude and have passed on the best wishes of everyone at St Helen’s to him back in the Land of the Long White Cloud.
GEORGE NEPIA
George Nepia was revered in the rugby world, not only for his exceptional skill and bravery on the field of play – he was fearless diving at the feet of opposing forwards – but also for his modest demeanor, sense of fair play and openness with supporters, a true gentleman of the Māori people. At St Helen’s he was a huge success and on 27th September 1924 the All Blacks under skipper Cliff Porter ran out winners against a Swansea side dreaming of going one better than the class of 1905, who lost just 3-4 to the first All Blacks. Cliff Porter led his 1924 team to a thumping 39-3 win over the All Whites, Nepia being very much a standout player.
On 29th November that year the All Blacks returned to St Helen’s to play Wales and ran out 19-0 winners, Nepia the undisputed star. George Nepia’s popularity in Wales and especially Swansea was such that, invited to accompany the 1982 New Zealand Māori tourists, he was given a lengthy standing ovation on the pitch at half-time in their match at St Helen’s against Swansea. On this occasion the All Whites emerged 15-12 winners. As Swansea and Wales full-back Mark Wyatt ruefully recalled after that match: “They don’t take a step back on the field and if you have a weakness they will find it out.” Nepia’s reception at St Helen’s in 1982 says everything about the man and the good feelings he engendered wherever he played. We hope that good feeling and camaraderie travels with Harry ‘Mak’ back down under and that George’s great grandson enjoys the photos, videos and other memories Harry carries back with him.