All Blacks coach Ian Foster has taken time to pay tribute to Waka Nathan, after his side's Rugby Championship-clinching 19-17 victory over South Africa at Townsville.
On Friday, Nathan passed away at the age of 81, remembered as one of the greatest players of his generation.
Nathan made 37 appearances for the All Blacks, including 14 tests, from 1962-67, and was a stalwart of Auckland rugby. Of those 14 tests, not once did Nathan finish on the losing side.
Speaking after Saturday's victory in the 100th test between the All Blacks and South Africa, Foster offered his condolences on behalf of the team to one of New Zealand's two greats.
"There's a whole lot of things that are special about tonight," Foster says. "The 100th, the Rugby Championship, the Freedom Cup, but also our chance, as a team, to honour the passing of a great All Black, who's been massively iconic in our game, in terms of Waka Nathan.
"On behalf of the team, to his whānau, our love and aroha is with you people.
"We know it's a tough time, but he'll be remembered fondly for everything that he's done for our game."
After retiring, Nathan became an NZ Māori selector between 1971-77 and managed the NZ Māori on their 1982 tour of Wales.
Nathan was honoured by NZ Rugby with a prominent role at the opening ceremony of the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.
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