Although not as fast as some top-level wingers, his skills and try-scoring ability saw him succeed at provincial level as well as leading to him gaining selection for the All Blacks.

He played 39 times (including 20 test matches) as an All Black from 1983 until 1987, with the highlight of his career being winning the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup.

One of his partners in the Italian team was the All Black John Kirwan, Green's teammate in the 1987 World Cup won by the New Zealanders.

Between 2002 and 2007 he went back to Italy, to coach his former player days team Benetton Treviso.

[2] With the Italian club he had a hugely successful era; achieving the national title in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007, and the Coppa Italia in 2005.