By Matthew Brockett
WELLINGTON, Oct 8 (Reuter) - Rugby-mad New Zealand has gone into mourning over All Black Zinzan Brooke's decision this week to leave for English club rugby.
One of New Zealand's favourite sons, 32-year-old ``Zinny'' Brooke will play his last test in the hallowed black jersey in England later this year before moving to London club Harlequins in 1998.
The dynamic loose forward is acknowledged as one of the best the game has ever seen.
``A great, great player,'' said Colin ``Pinetree'' Meads, himself a legendary All Black of the 1960s.
``Zinzan brought an imagination and flair to the game that probably no other player ever has done,'' he told Reuters.
Brooke's 10-year career at the top speaks for itself.
The 54-test veteran has scored more test tries (17) than any other forward in the history of New Zealand rugby.
His outrageously unpredictable style, crunching tackles and fiercely competitive nature mark him as a superb footballer.
Former All Black captain David Kirk, the man who led New Zealand to victory at the inaugural World Cup in 1987, called Brooke a pioneer of the professional game.
``I do date the modern game in New Zealand to that time, 1987, when players like Zinzan Brooke emerged, bringing their youth, their enthusiasm and their free, open approach to rugby.
``Zinzan came in at that time and...he's been able to continue and develop and mould that new modern spirit of New Zealand rugby because he was there at the beginning.''
Kirk said the things that distinguished Brooke ``from just about anyone else'' were his ball skills and mental approach.
``He doesn't accept any boundaries. Dropped goals from halfway are on, punts up the line, chips over the top, throwing dummies, quick-tap penalties... he had no sense that things shouldn't be tried because they might not come off, and that's a fantastic capacity to have,'' Kirk said.
``I could only compare him to a very few players -- (Australia's) David Campese would be one -- who play with that sense of freedom and that physical capacity he has.''
Injured All Black Michael Jones, the only loose forward of Brooke's generation considered to be of the same calibre, rates his team-mate as one of the greatest players ever.
``He's got the whole array of ball skills and he's the most competitive person I know. I've just always admired his attitude to the game.''
Jones said Brooke was always there for his team-mates.
``One example for me of him sticking his neck out for his mates was when we were playing in France against one of the provincial teams.
``Our opponents were abrasive, nasty, and on the verge of being dirty, and one of the guys just started throwing punches at me out of the blue, I don't know for what reason, I think it might have been because they were losing at the time.
``Anyway, all our forward pack had scrambled to the loose ball and I was left with about four of these guys by myself, or so I thought. All I remember was Zinny coming in and before the other guy could floor me, he was on the floor himself.
``I could talk about the drop kicks and all the different episodes of his brilliance, but for me that was something that stood out. He won't back down, and he'll always stand up for his mates.''
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