Colin Meads

FATHER, FARMER, ALL BLACK LEGEND

Born:

Cambridge, Waikato, June 3, 1936.

Raised:

On a family farm near Te Kuiti. One of five siblings, including brother Stan, who also would become an All Black.

Married:

Verna. The couple have five children.

All Black games:

133.

All Black Tests:

55.

Honours:

Named player of the century at the NZRU awards in 1999. Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1971. Member of the World Rugby Hall of Fame and NZ Sports Hall of Fame. Appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001. Redesignated as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009. ( below)

1955 Makes his King Country debut, aged 19, scoring a try and a dropped goal.

1957 Makes his All Black debut on the tour of Australia. Playing 10 games, including both Tests, shining in a number of different positions.

1963 Named All Blacks captain for the first time although he is to hold that role just 11 times in his career.

1967 Became the second All Black sent off in a test. He was given a red card for dangerous play against Scotland at Murrayfield.

1971 Was captain for all four tests in his final international year, the historic series loss to the British and Irish Lions.

1973 Makes his 139th and final appearance for King Country.

1986 After a period of administration with King Country, Meads was elected to the national selection panel. He was fired later in the year for acting as coach of the “Cavaliers” unauthorised tour of South Africa.

1994 Appointed All Blacks manager for two years, having served on the NZRU council for two years previously.

2016 Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

2017 Dies aged 81.