It is becoming less common, certainly at full professional level. But look up Deon Muir, who played for Waikato, the early Chiefs, and NZ Maori in the 1990s. He was an absolutely wonderful Number 8, but considered too small for the ABs. When it became clear that even after being the Captain of Waikato and the Maori, he was never going to be capped, he moved to Japan to play professional rugby there. He was very fast and immensely strong, and was a major offensive threat with ball in hand, as well as a punishing tackler and endless worker in the loose. My favorite Waikato player (and Waikato are my favorite provincial-level team). Mark L.
Steffon Armitage is 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) but he is immensely strong and wins the gain line every time he gets the ball. Thomas Waldrom, he is a little bit higher but not much 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in). Johnny O'Connor is 1.80 m(5 ft 11 in).
