Obituaries are tough
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And when someone passes away it is appropriate to focus on the positives.
Andy Haden had a rich and varied life, with a lot of attached controversy, but also left quite a legacy. So, with respect, here are the good points.
He toured The British Isles and Ireland as a 21 year old in 1972 / 3 and from all accounts was just too green for that tour. His solution, unthinkable now, was to take a few years off and do an OE travelling Europe and play some club rugby in France; possibly with some recompense.
Between 1987 and 1985 he was the best lock going around and, o use modern terminology, was a key part of the leadership group.
Securing proceeds rights after the publication of Boots ‘n’ All while still playing was a significant domino to fall in the modernisation and professionalism of rugby union.
All professional rugby players in this country now owe a debt of gratitude to Haden.
He played 156 games for Auckland. Not The Blues; Auckland.
And he maintained the highlight of his career was that Shield Challenge in 1985.
He understood he concept of talent management right back to the days of a trumpet ad in the 1980s, and he remained loyal to his clients.
Were it not for Haden we would never have had the Keith Quinn Cigna ads. He had a lot of people on his books.
And the highlight. When Sean Fitzpatrick turned up at Auckland he told him to piss off, and return when he’d learnt to throw into the lineout properly.