Born: May 14, 1966 Test record: 9 Tests (1989-91) – 5 tries, 6 goals (32 points) Tours: 1989 tour of Britain and France
Classy Auckland five-eighth Kelly Shelford’s eventual Kiwis call-up was a long time coming, but he made his mark in nine Tests for New Zealand from 1989-91.
The Manukau Magpies star represented Auckland and Central Districts (the latter as a centre) against the 1985 Australian tourists and was regarded as an unlucky omission from the squad to tour Britain and France at the end of the year. Instead, he scored five tries for the Junior Kiwis against Auckland Under-19s and featured in the series against their Australian counterparts.
Shelford joined Glenora in 1986 and was the Auckland competition’s top tryscorer in 1988, a season that saw the Bears lose the Fox Memorial grand final to Te Atatu Roosters. That year he also scored two tries in Auckland’s resounding 30-14 win over Great Britain and represented New Zealand Māori at the Pacific Cup.
After starring in Auckland’s 26-24 upset of Australia in 1989 with five goals (he also scored a try in New Zealand XIII’s loss to the tourists), Shelford replaced Shane Cooper at five-eighth in the New Zealand line-up for the dead-rubber third Test – an improved 22-14 loss at Mt Smart Stadium to the world champs.
Shelford held on the No.6 jersey for the away series against Great Britain at the end of the year, scoring a try in the 24-16 win in the first Test and posting all of New Zealand’s points in the 10-6 loss in the deciding third encounter from a try and a goal. He also grabbed a try and kicked two goals as the Kiwis edged France 16-14 in the first Test, before dropping to the bench for the second clash.
He missed the series versus Great Britain – though he played for Kiwi Colts and New Zealand Māori against the Lions – and Papua New Guinea in 1990, but after injuries ruled out Tony Kemp and Mark Nixon, Shelford was recalled at five-eighth for the one-Test against Australia in Wellington (a 24-6 loss).
Shelford occupied the pivot role in both Tests against France at home in 1991 – scoring a try in each big win – but Kemp, Dave Watson and Gary Freeman (who moved from halfback with Clayton Friend coming into the starting side) preferred for the three Tests in Australia. He helped new club Otahuhu to the Fox Memorial grand final, a loss to Northcote, however.
Starting in the 1987-88 northern winter, Shelford had nine seasons in Britain. He had two brief stints with Whitehaven, before joining Warrington in 1991-92 season and staying with the Wire until the 1997 Super League season – racking up well over 150 games for the club.
Shelford returned home and played for Waikato Cougars at national level, before turning his hand to coaching and guiding Papukura Sea Eagles to Fox Memorial glory in 2002.
