Born: June 28, 1965 – Auckland
Test record: 29 Tests (1989-94) – 3 tries (12 points)
Tours: 1989 tour of Britain and France, 1993 tour of Britain and France, 1994 tour of Papua New Guinea

The son of 1970s Kiwi Don Mann, rugged hooker Duane Mann missed just two Tests from his debut for New Zealand in 1989 until his last appearance as captain in 1994.

The Glenora rake enjoyed a rapid rise after debuting for Auckland in its 1988 victory over Great Britain. The following season, he scored a try for New Zealand XIII in Australia’s tour opener and replaced Barry Harvey in the Kiwis line-up after their disappointing first-Test showing.

That started a run of 27 consecutive Test appearances in the New Zealand No.9 jumper, subsequently featuring in all five matches against Great Britain and France – touring alongside cousin George Mann.

Mann subsequently joined English club Warrington for what would be a fruitful four-season stay, including playing in the 1990 Challenge Cup final to Wigan. He lined up against Great Britain at home and Papua New Guinea away, scoring his maiden Test try in the series opener in Goroka, and the one-off Test against Australia in Wellington in 1990.

The ultra-reliable dummy-half scored a try in a 60-6 series-opening win over France in 1991 before featuring in the epic 24-8 upset of Australia in Melbourne, a series the Kiwis went on to lose convincingly.

Firmly established as New Zealand’s top hooker, Mann played against the visiting Kumuls and Lions in 1992 and all three matches of the 1993 home-and-away series against Australia.

He went away on the 1993 tour of Britain and France as vice-captain and played in the one-Test against Wales and the first two clashes against Great Britain, but he was among several high-profile casualties as coach Howie Tamati made sweeping changes for the third Test. Denvour Johnston replaced him at hooker and retained the spot for the one-off Test in France.

Mann bounced back spectacularly in 1994, leading North Harbour Sea Eagles to the inaugural Lion Red Cup title before being installed as Kiwis captain by incoming coach Frank Endacott for the tour of Papua New Guinea. The two Tests would be his last in the black-and-white jersey, however.

A key signing for the fledgling Auckland Warriors, Mann was quickly usurped by ex-Wellington hooker Syd Eru, who also took his spot in the Kiwis line-up.

Essentially consigned to Endacott’s Warriors reserve grade line-up for the second half of 1995, Mann famously came within an ace of a dream retort at the World Cup – captaining Tonga in an incredible, last-gasp 25-24 loss to the Kiwis.

Mann returned to the Lion Red Cup in 1996 and guided Counties Manukau Heroes to a grand final victory, before collecting three straight Fox Memorial titles with Glenora from 1997-99. Fittingly, he bowed out of top-level football representing Tonga at lock and halfback at the 2000 World Cup.

Mann remained closely involved with rugby league as a co-coach of Tonga, a junior development coach and academy and pathways manager at the Warriors, head coach of Bay Roskill Vikings and as a high performance director with the NZRL. More recently he served Auckland Rugby League as general manager clubs and partnerships, and as interim CEO.