Hodder Moa, 2005. Dustwrapper slighly faded.

A double university degree and a career in rugby - hardly the norm for an All Black front-rower. Anton Oliver, though, is different. Anton Oliver is the thinking man's rugby player. In this biography of the great Otago hooker, Brian Turner explores the life of a professional rugby player from angles previously untouched.

Brian Turner is one of New Zealand's most gifted writers. As well as books of poetry, he has also written a number of sports books, including three on cricket with his brother Glenn - My Way; Opening Up and Lifting the Covers. In 1999 he collaborated with Josh Kronfeld on the best-selling rugby biography, On the Loose and last year worked with the legendary Colin Meads on his blockbuster, Meads. His latest collection of poetry, Taking Off, has just been published Victoria University Press.