Born: January 21, 1919 Died: February 11, 2004 Test record: 3 Tests (1948-49) – 2 tries (6 points) Tours: 1947-48 tour of Britain and France, 1948 tour of Australia
Richmond centre/five-eighth Albert ‘Abbie’ Graham toured Britain and France with the 1947-48 Kiwis before playing three Tests against Australia in the ensuing two seasons.
An Auckland rep prior to serving in World War II, Graham resumed playing for his province and North Island in 1946.
The 28-year-old was named vice-captain of the Kiwis for the 1947-48 tour but injuries restricted him to just three appearances, against St Helens, York and Basque de France.
Graham was again vice-captain to skipper Pat Smith for New Zealand’s 1948 tour of Australia. He played in both Tests – at five-eighth in the 21-19 series-opening victory at the SCG and at centre in the 13-4 loss at The Gabba. He also scored two tries in a win over Central Queensland at Rockhampton.
Graham starred at stand-off in New Zealand’s 26-21 win over Australia at the Basin Reserve in the first Test of the 1949 series – scoring a kick-and-regather try and backing up a Tommy Baxter break to bag his second – but that would be his last appearance for his country.
After playing in Auckland’s defeat to the tourists, he was ruled out of the second Test.