CHAMPAGNE RUGBY FOR SILVER BALL PARTY
SIR Gareth Edwards has led the tributes to All Blacks great Sir Colin Meads, who has died, aged 81.
Meads played 133 times for the All Blacks between 1957 and 1971, appearing in 55 Tests.
Meads was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August last year, and died yesterday morning at Te Kuiti Hospital in New Zealand.
“When somebody of his stature passes on it’s hard to believe. You think they are virtually invincible, such was his prowess and reputation,” said Sir Gareth.
“I played against him on several occasions and he was one of the all-time greats and would have been a great in any generation of rugby, without question.”
“He had a great, dry sense of humour – a very witty man. A man with a reputation of being a hard, strong, difficult bloke but he was truly great – a stalwart of rugby and I enjoyed his company very much.
“My thoughts and sympathies go to the family on what is a sad occasion.”
Paying tribute to Meads on Twitter, the Welsh Rugby Union said: “Our thoughts and prayers to friends and family of @AllBlacks great Sir Colin Meads. A giant of a man on and off the pitch #RIP #legend.”
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was informed of the news after his team’s Bledisloe Cup win over Australia.
“His achievements in the black jersey are part of the All Blacks legacy and his loss will be felt over the world,” Hansen said.
“On behalf of the All Blacks, we’d like to pass on our condolences and sympathy to the family,” Hansen said at a press conference.
“He is a legend of the game, a legend of New Zealand’s game, and it is always sad when one of the big Kauri trees fall – and that is what has happened.”
Meads captained the All Blacks in the famous series against the British and Irish Lions in 1971, and was named New Zealand’s player of the century by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union in 1999.
Nicknamed ‘Pine Tree’ by team-mate Kevin Briscoe in 1958, Meads’ reputation for fearless and tough play was sealed when he played an entire match with a broken arm in 1970.
Meads was involved in rugby all his life, going into coaching and management, as well as administration, after his playing days were over.
“His ability to play the game first and foremost and his passion for rugby long after he stopped playing – he was a coach; he was a manager for the All Blacks, and at grassroots he was involved,” Hansen added.
“He didn’t just play for the All Blacks; he didn’t just play for King County or his club; he just gave back in many other ways and he is true rugby.
“That will be his legacy.”
And, as well as his life in rugby, New Zealand prime minister Bill English said Meads would also be remembered simply as a good man.
“Sir Colin represented what it means to be a New Zealander. He was no-nonsense, reliable, hardworking, warm and very generous with his time,” he said on Twitter.
“A sad day for New Zealand rugby and for New Zealand.
“Sir Colin was not only a great All Black but also a genuinely good Kiwi bloke.
“He will be missed.”