| has gloss | eng: John Eric Paul Mitchell, (born 23 March 1964 in Hawera, New Zealand) is a noted rugby union player and coach for the New Zealand All Blacks, Mitchells rugby career blossomed with the club side Fraser-Tech after he moved from King Country in 1984 and was soon elected Waikato Colts captain. Career Early Career As a pupil at New Plymouths Francis Douglas Memorial College he made the first XV and he was a member of the NZ secondary schools basketball team from 1981-83. He represented NZ Juniors in basketball in 1982-83, but then decided to concentrate on rugby. Provincial He made his Waikato senior debut in 1985 and played at number eight, blindside flanker and lock before he became firmly established at number eight. Equal top scorer in first division rugby in 1989-90, he thus scored more tries over these seasons than any other NZ first division player. |
