‘An All Black legend and a genuinely good Kiwi bloke’

the All Blacks, and at grassrootshewasinvolved,”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.”

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.”

Meads was hardened by his life as a sheep farmer in the rugged King Country district of New Zealand’s North Island.

English added: “I remember when I was younger hearing stories about how he used to shear sheep all day and go running at night. I thought I’d give it a go. I quickly learned the Meads legend was built on physical and mental toughness.”

Meads was regarded as New Zealand’s greatest All Black, even when players of the modern era such as Richie Mccaw, who played 148 Tests, surpassed his record for Test appearances.

With a reputation as an enforcer at a time – in the absence of video replays – when physical violence was more common in rugby, he became only the second All Blacks player to be sent off in a Test match, against Scotland in 1967, though he was considered unlucky in that instance.

Meads stayed on his farm near the small township at Te Kuiti until his death. In June, a bronze statue honouring him was unveiled in the Te Kuiti town centre and he was present at the ceremony, his last public appearance.

Meads is survived by wife Verna and their five children Karen, Kelvin, Rhonda, Glynn and Shelley, their 14 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Kirsty Gilmour has the weight of expectation on her shoulders at the Total BWF World Championships at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. But she wouldn’t want it any other way.

“It’s going to be very special,” said the 23-year-old Scot, who is seeded 16 in the women’s singles. “There are not many people who get to play in a Commonwealth Games and a World Championship in their home city within three years. I live just 15 minutes away from the Arena.

“It has been strange having my photo on the posters all over Glasgow. A lot of people have been asking for selfies. But playing with pressure this week is a privilege. All my friends and family can come and watch, which makes a big difference.

“I have also played a lot at the Emirates and can draw on my experiences, both positive and negative.”

The highlight of her Emirates career was taking the silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It helped catapult her towards the 2016 Olympic Games.

But Rio was a less happy experience. Troubled with a knee injury that ultimately required surgery, she failed to get past the group stage.

“But a lot has changed since then,” continued the player who won a second successive silver medal at this year’s European Championships. “For a start, I have a new knee.

“Since my comeback from the operation, it has only been upwards. I am enjoying working with the new Scottish national coach, Tat Meng Wong, and everything has snowballed for the better.”

Gilmour, with a bye in the first round, does not start her campaign until Wednesday, but Kieran Merrilees is one of the first in action today.

And he could hardly have a tougher draw. He faces the five-time world champion from China, Lin Dan.

Lin, regarded as the greatest of all time, said: “Winning a sixth world title would make me happy, but there is a lot of work to be done before then.”