Atholstan ‘Tonk’ Mahoney  #370
b.15.07.1908 Woodville
d.13.07.1979, Killed in a car accident, Konini

Always known by the nickname, “Tonk,” Athol Mahoney occupies a small but special place in New Zealand rugby history. He was the only player to have been an All Black from the tiny Bush union, which in 1970 became defunct when it amalgamated with neighbouring Wairarapa.

A friend from his Wellington childhood days of the great radio commentator Winston McCarthy, (they were also team-mates in the early 30s in Bush) Mahoney came from a farming background and was naturally tough. For the times he was a big man at 1.88m and more than 90kg.

In an era of sparse representative programmes he played 36 matches for Bush between 1927 and 1939, received early recognition with a match for the North Island minor unions in 1928 and also played against the touring British side in 1930 for a combined Wairarapa-Bush side.

A side row forward in the old 2-3-2 scrum formation, Mahoney first became an All Black on the 1929 tour of Australia. He made the side after appearing in the first of the seven All Black trials he would play up until the 1935 season. In 1933 he also played for the North Island and after being overlooked since 1929 was recalled for the 1934 tour of Australia.

By now with the 3-4-1 scrum formation in use he was specialising as either a flanker or in the back row as a No 8. He was, though, essentially, a tight forward highly esteemed for his industry and prowess in wet conditions.

He played in nine All Black matches on his two tours of Australia but never made a test selection.

However, his form in 1934 was good enough to clinch a test place on the 1935-36 tour of Britain. He suffered a leg injury in the tour opener against Devon and Cornwall and was not fit again until the 10th match against Glasgow and Edinburgh.

In Mahoney’s absence flaws occurred in the All Blacks’ scrummaging and these were not remedied until his return. Because of his ability to wheel the scrum as required and the added strength he brought he became a first choice usually in the No 8 position. He played in 17 of the tour matches including the four internationals against Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

After the tour Mahoney was seldom seen again at the top level. Because of an injury was unable to captain the combined Wairarapa-Bush side against the touring Wallabies in 1936 and after missing all of the 1937 and 1938 seasons he reappeared briefly for Bush in 1939. His first class career of 77 matches ended in the early 1940s with two war time matches for Army sides.

Profile by Lindsay Knight
for the New Zealand Rugby Museum.