Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

One benefit of reaching the seven decade mark in life, is the ability to look back at events and people that have shaped the world, having lived through the times.

There is always great debate over who is our greatest All Black, with Pinetree Meads and Richie McCaw the front runners.

For my tuppence worth, a slightly built winger from Wellington who retired at just 26 years of age, is entitled to be ranked in that debate.

Ron Jarden first came to prominence for Wellington and New Zealand Universities, before being selected for the All Blacks tour of Australia in 1951.

He grabbed the attention of rugby mad New Zealand, returning home with 88 points from six matches - in the days when tries were worth just three points.

This included an All Blacks record of 38 points against Central West (NSW) of six touchdowns and 10 conversions

Ron Jarden showed early sporting prowess at Hutt Valley High School and set athletics records that stood for many years with his 440 yards record being unbeaten for fifty years.

Jarden was relatively small of stature, especially when measured against the big men that play in the number 11 and 14 jerseys today.

He had pace and acceleration to burn and the ability to run around the opposition, who could only stand watching him disappear up the field.

Hours of kicking practice earned dividends on the field with the All Black winger regularly booting goals home from the half way line.

Living within walking distance of Athletic Park in Wellington as a youngster, Sideline Sid saw Ron Jarden play on countless occasions in the hotbed of Wellington club rugby.

Those were the days when All Blacks played in club rugby, with such names as Bob Scott, Neville McEwan, Tom Katene, Ivan Vodanovich and Bill Clarke turning out for their clubs each week.

Jarden played for the glamour University team and there was no bigger contest at "The Park", than when Petone and Bob Scott squared off with University.

Sideline Sid was at Athletic Park in 1956 when Ron Jarden gave the visiting South Africans a look at his rare ability.

The passion for the game in the country at the time saw 40,000 spectators pack the ground in the weekday encounter.

Playing for New Zealand Universities, Jarden received the ball deep in his own half, before jinking and weaving his way past the international visitors to dive over to score.

However, standing halfway down the sideline was the linesman, with his flagged raised, with the referee having no option but to disallow the touchdown.

The huge crowd left in a happy frame of mind, with New Zealand Universities dispatching the South Africans 22-15.

Ron Jarden's star shone for a short time.

He announced his retirement aged just 26, after the All Black beat the Springboks for the first time in a series when they won the fourth test at Eden Park on the September 1, 1956.

He finished his All Black career with just 37 appearances in the Black uniform, which included only 16 tests.