Final whistle for our oldest All Black
For generations, our All Blacks have hewn their place into the culture of New Zealand through mud, sweat and some even through war.
Up until last week, the oldest of our national rugby legends was Walter ‘‘Wally’’ Argus. He died on October 21, aged 95.
More than 70 years earlier, on September 14, 1946, in Dunedin, Argus pulled on the black jersey for the first time, facing off against Australia during the first international rugby union tour after the Second World War.
Argus scored two tries on debut, and the All Blacks won the match 31-8.
He lined up for the men in black 10 times, including four test matches.
Helen Briggs said her father was always humble about his rugby prowess and never boasted about being in the nation’s top team.
‘‘He didn’t like to show off, he was tremendously proud of it [being an All Black], but he was a man who mixed with all walks of life and didn’t want to be put on a pedestal,’’ Briggs said.
After rugby, Argus was a prolific market gardener based in Christchurch’s Heathcote Valley, selling fruit and vegetables at many local markets as well as a home shop.
On retirement, he spent his time being a loved grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as helping out with his son’s furniture business.
He spent the last months of his life at St Allisa Life Care, and died peacefully at Christchurch Hospital on October 21.
The Story of a Legend
Walter Garland Argus was born in Albury, Canterbury, on May 29, 1921, to Ernest and Margaret Argus and attended Albury School and Pleasant Point District High School.
In 1937, an illustrious senior rugby career started at the Southern Football Club before Argus was selected to the Mackenzie Sub-Union team for the 1939 season.
Argus moved to Christchurch when war broke out in 1939, playing for Linwood before selection to the Canterbury side two years later.
During his time with Linwood and Canterbury, he crossed the line more than 15 times, securing a reputation as a prolific try-scorer.
A decision to serve his county led to Argus volunteering with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the war.
He served in both North Africa and Italy.
Uninhibited by war service, Argus’ rugby career was furthered by selection to play for the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force Kiwis team, touring Wales, England, France and Germany.
‘‘He always spoke very fondly of the Kiwis team he played for,’’ his daughter Helen Briggs said.
‘‘It was the kind of rugby they played – very fast with a lot of passing of the ball and running rugby.
‘‘In fact he said a lot of the rugby the All Blacks were playing nowadays reminded him of those old days.’’
Before leaving Britain, Argus married Eileen Hogan in London. Fellow All Black Bob Scott, the previous holder of the title of oldest living All Black, was best man at the pair’s wedding.
They had two children, Walter in 1948 and Helen in 1950, both born in New Zealand. Eileen passed away years later.
He was selected to the All Blacks in 1946 and debuted against Australia in Dunedin. He played the historic foe in Auckland two weeks later with the All Blacks storming to victory on both occasions.
In 1947, Argus travelled to Australia with the All Blacks and played in eight of nine matches across the Tasman, including two tests.
During his time with the All Blacks, Argus scored 14 tries, including in three of the four test matches he played.
He was selected for the 1949 All Blacks tour of South Africa, but did not attend due to the purchase of a market garden in Christchurch, on the current site of the Christchurch Gondola.
‘‘He had a really strong interest in gardening his whole life and did training to become an A-grade market gardner,’’ Briggs said.
His vegetables – ‘‘his cabbages were as big as cannonballs’’ – were sold at markets across Christchurch, and from a small shop on the family’s property.
‘‘He fed all the family vegetables for ever,’’ Briggs said.
After the death of Bob Scott in 2012, Argus became the oldest living All Black.
In December 2015, at his Heathcote Valley home, Argus was visited by former All Black captain Richie McCaw.
‘‘Dad was so pleased with the visit, he just loved talking to him and said Richie was such a genuine man.
‘‘I remember he said, ‘God he was a big bloke!’’’
A loss of independence eventually led to Argus moving to St Alissa Life Care rest home, where he spent the last year of his life.
‘‘Right up to the end they would pull his big chair right up to the TV to watch the rugby.
‘‘I remember I watched a game with him there and had to leave halfway through, and other residents rushed to sit with him.’’
His interest in rugby was unwavering and he was particularly excited about the way the current All Blacks played the game.
Wally Argus is survived by his good friend Marge, his two children Helen and Wal, seven grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.