FACTFILE

Born: June 3, 1936, Cambridge, NZ. Occupation: Sheep farmer.

Rugby career: Aged 19, he played the first of 139 matches for his province King Country. His All Black career began in 1957 and lasted 14 years, 55 Tests and 133 matches. He captained his country from 1960-71. In 1999, Meads was named NZ player of the century and he was knighted in 2009.