ABs prop ‘immense’ for H Bay

One of Hawke’s Bay rugby’s most revered figures, the one-test prop Neil Thimbleby, has died. He was 84.

Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union chief executive Jay Campbell confirmed Thimbleby died in Napier on Tuesday.

Thimbleby played his solitary test on the 1970 All Blacks tour of South Africa – the 14-3 loss in Port Elizabeth – along with 12 other tour matches.

The tighthead prop gained legendary status in his home province, playing a remarkable 158 matches for Hawke’s Bay between 1959 and 1971. That remains a record. He was also the first man to make 100 appearances for the province.

“He just had time for everyone. Always willing to take the time to have a chat. He loved rugby, and Hawke’s Bay and the Magpies, and loved his club [Napier Old Boys Marist].

“He was always there watching and was a massive advocate for the club game,” Campbell told Stuff yesterday.

“It’s another really sad loss for rugby when you get these icons of the game, provincial legends. His contribution to Hawke’s Bay rugby has been immense.”

Thimbleby was a key figure in the famous Hawke’s Bay Ranfurly Shield era of the 1960s and was deemed unlucky not to play more for the All Blacks.

Campbell believed Thimbleby played every minute of that 21-match shield tenure between 1966 and 1969, in the days before replacements.

“Tough as teak, but absolutely an amazing man off the field. Really humorous, loved telling great yarns. Him and Blair [Furlong] and Ian [Macrae] when they got together, if you were a rugby tragic like I am, you’d listen to that and love it.”

Thimbleby also coached Hawke’s Bay and was the province’s patron from 2011.

His funeral is expected to be held at the NOBM club on Tuesday.