Hohepa (Harry) Jacob

All Blacks ID: #220

The first of Horowhenua's two All Blacks (the other was Joe Karam) Jacob toured New South Wales, as well as playing three provincial sides at home, with the 1920 New Zealand team. He was not available to travel with the touring 1922 All Blacks and declined selection for the 1923 series against New South Wales.

Harry Jacob's first representative rugby was with Horowhenua as a 16 year old in 1911. He continued to represent that province, and/or Manawhenua, until 1927. He first became a Maori All Black in 1913, and won selection again in 1914, 1922 (as captain) and 1923. A lieutenant in the Maori Battalion in World War I (when he won the Military Medal) Jacob also toured New Zealand in 1919 with the Pioneer Maori Battalion side, playing in all its nine games.

Regarded as a fine leader, Jacob during his career captained the North Island in 1923, N Z Maoris in 1922, Horowhenua and Manawhenua, leading the latter when they lifted the Ranfurly Shield from Wairarapa in 1927.

A son, born at the time of the Shield victory, was known as Ran Furly and as R F Jacob represented Wellington, N Z Maoris and Sydney University soon after World War II.

In all Harry Jacob played 100 first class games, a considerable total in those days and one that would have been greater but for his military service.

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