Not Straight

The story of a gay All Black hopeful tries hard but doesnt ring true.

- David Hill

The gay All Blacks: statistically, they must be out there. They’re certainly out at club rugby level, as in Auckland’s NZ Falcons, and Christchurch’s Heroes. But there are top rugby players who won’t, or can’t, declare themselves. One is Alec Haudepin, the protagonist of this debut novel.

Alec is New Zealand rugby’s golden boy, brought up on a farm, an outstanding first-five or utility back for Auckland, a thoroughly nice young bloke whose on-field prowess lends him “a kind of patrician standing”. The All Blacks selectors are considering him for a Northern Hemisphere tour.