Dan Carter pays tribute to All Blacks legend after sudden passing
Rugby NewsThursday, 10 April 2025 at 01:17
– and his picks are bound to raise a few eyebrows.
The rugby world is in mourning following the passing of legendary All Blacks and Warriors doctor, John Mayhew, at the age of 70.
"Doc" Mayhew – A giant behind the scenes
The North Harbour Rugby Union confirmed the sad news in a heartfelt statement on Wednesday, revealing Mayhew passed peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, after recent heart complications.
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“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr John ‘Doc’ Mayhew (ONZM). The family kindly requests privacy during this time,” the post read.
Mayhew wasn’t just any doctor – he was a central figure in New Zealand sport, a familiar face in both the All Blacks and Warriors camps for more than a decade each.
Fitzpatrick: “He was my doctor for nearly 40 years”
Former All Blacks skipper Sean Fitzpatrick, speaking from the UK, was visibly moved by the news.
“He brought a smile to my face because he was a big presence in my life,” Fitzpatrick told Newstalk ZB. “He put lots of stitches in my body. He had a calming influence, a real feel for the game and was very much part of the team on and off the field.”
That kind of bond? Rare. Mayhew wasn’t just patching players up—he was part of the family.
Carter pays tribute to a “true legend”
Dan Carter, another All Blacks icon, took to Instagram to honour Mayhew, describing him as a “true legend whose impact was felt by every team he worked with.”
“I feel incredibly lucky to have been one of the players he supported,” Carter added.
Mayhew’s contributions to New Zealand sport will never be forgotten—because while he didn’t wear the black jersey himself, he helped countless legends keep wearing theirs.
Dan Biggar names bold Lions XV – with big England omissions
Wales legend Dan Biggar has officially called time on his playing career, but not before dropping a blockbuster British & Irish Lions XV on The Rugby Pod
The 112-cap fly-half, who steered Wales through some of their finest Six Nations and World Cup moments, appeared on Jim Hamilton’s podcast this week and revealed his Lions dream team. Spoiler alert: there's no room for the likes of Owen Farrell, Johnny Sexton, or even himself.
Here’s how Biggar’s team shaped up…
Front-row firepower: Porter, Sheehan & Furlong
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
It’s an all-Irish affair in the front row, with Biggar backing Leinster's dominant trio to boss the scrum. Furlong remains the Rolls-Royce of tightheads, while Sheehan and Porter provide dynamism in the loose.
Big boys in the boiler room: Itoje & Beirne
4. Maro Itoje
5. Tadhg Beirne
5. Tadhg Beirne
England’s Maro Itoje gets the nod despite some inconsistent recent form, with Biggar clearly still valuing his disruptive brilliance. He’s paired with the ever-reliable Beirne – a turnover machine and Lions Test starter in 2021.
Breakdown beasts: Curry, Van Der Flier & Doris (c)
6. Tom Curry
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)
This back row is pure chaos – in the best possible way. England’s Tom Curry returns to the fray, Ireland’s Van der Flier adds World Player of the Year pedigree, and Doris, who’s fast becoming a modern-day great, takes the armband. A fearless choice.
Livewire half-backs: Gibson-Park & Russell
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
10. Finn Russell
10. Finn Russell
Gone are the days of conservative Lions 9-10 combos. Biggar’s gone full jazz here. Gibson-Park brings the zip, and Russell… well, Russell brings the flair. The Scotland maestro’s creativity earns him the No.10 jersey over Biggar himself – no ego here.
Fire on the flanks: Lowe & Kinghorn
11. James Lowe
14. Blair Kinghorn
14. Blair Kinghorn
Two versatile Scots fill the wing slots, with Kinghorn’s blend of size and speed complementing Lowe’s relentless work rate and booming left boot. Biggar clearly values adaptability out wide – and a bit of flair never hurts.
Caledonian connection in midfield: Tuipulotu & Jones
12. Sione Tuipulotu
13. Huw Jones
13. Huw Jones
The Glasgow Warriors pairing have formed one of the deadliest centre combos in rugby, and Biggar’s kept them together. It’s a bold call, but one based on form and synergy rather than reputation alone.
Rock-solid fullback: Hugo Keenan
15. Hugo Keenan
No surprise here – Keenan has been Ireland’s Mr Consistent, and Biggar trusts him to be the safety net at the back. His positioning, aerial ability and counter-attacks make him a nailed-on pick.
The bench: a mix of muscle and mischief
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Zander Fagerson, Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith
It’s a stacked bench with serious impact. Genge and Fagerson bring brute force, while Earl and Morgan cover the back row with pace and punch. Marcus Smith adds some stardust, and Mitchell offers serious tempo at scrum-half.
Can You Name These 10 Legendary British & Irish Lions?
Test your rugby knowledge and see how many of these iconic Lions players you can name! You’ve got 4 minutes on the clock—think fast!
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