All Blacks captain Kieran Read has paid tribute to another legendary All Blacks captain, Dave Gallaher, on the 100th year anniversary of his death at the Battle of Passhcendeale in 1917.
Gallaher captained the first representative New Zealand side to tour the British Isles in 1905 – a team that went on to be dubbed the "Original All Blacks".
Reid said Gallaher and the team's legacy was part of the driving force behind the current side.
"Dave was a humble man [who] came from humble beginnings in the life of a freezing worker but he was also an innovator in the field, bringing into play the wing forward position [which eventually evolved into flanker].
"He's an inspiration for us and he started the legacy from way back in 1905 to what we have today."
Gallaher was one of over 240,000 casualties at the Third Battle of Ypres during World War 1 and has since been inducted in the World Rugby Hall of Fame as well as the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
The All Blacks are set to honour the legendary captain once again next month when they play for the Dave Gallaher trophy against France during the team’s northern hemisphere tour.
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