C
Chuck
Guest
I'm surprised he hasn't been inducted already, but anyway,
Colin Earl Meads, who played 133 times (55 of these were test matches) as an All Black from 1957 until 1971. His role in New Zealand rugby has been nothing short of iconic, and he was named New Zealand's Player of the Century at the NZRFU Awards dinner in 1999. He captained the All Blacks several times, mostly as a lock forward. Although never a regular captain, he holds the record of longest period of captaincy (NOT consecutive games), from the first date (1960) he was appointed captain to the last match he captained (1971).
In 1955 he was selected for the New Zealand under 21 side which toured Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He played all eight matches, scored three tries and was recognised as one of the 1955 season's most promising players. In 1956 he played in national trials and for the North Island, and in 1957 he was selected for the tour of Australia. He played ten matches and made his test debut, playing both of the internationals against the Wallabies, scoring a try in the second. Although a lock, he played at flanker and number 8, and even wing (from where he scored a try), as the All Black team was strong on locks.
From 1957 until 1971 Meads became essentially an automatic All Black selection, and become an iconic figure for All Black rugby. He became memorable for a number of distinctive characteristics and feats. The image of the tall lanky lock running athletically across the field to score, and the way he held the ball with just one hand, remains etched in the memory of many All Black fans. His superhuman strength and high threshold of pain was legendary â€" best illustrated when in a game against Eastern Transvaal in South Africa he emerged from a particularly vicious ruck with his arm dangling horribly, with an obvious fracture, yet completed the match. When the doctor cut away his shirt and confirmed the break, Meads muttered, "At least we won the bloody game."
He had the reputation of being what euphemistically is called "an enforcer" and certainly he was involved in his share of controversial incidents and in 1967 he became only the second All Black ordered off in a test when Irish referee Kevin Kelleher dispatched him for dangerous play against Scotland at Murrayfield
Colin Earl Meads, who played 133 times (55 of these were test matches) as an All Black from 1957 until 1971. His role in New Zealand rugby has been nothing short of iconic, and he was named New Zealand's Player of the Century at the NZRFU Awards dinner in 1999. He captained the All Blacks several times, mostly as a lock forward. Although never a regular captain, he holds the record of longest period of captaincy (NOT consecutive games), from the first date (1960) he was appointed captain to the last match he captained (1971).
In 1955 he was selected for the New Zealand under 21 side which toured Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He played all eight matches, scored three tries and was recognised as one of the 1955 season's most promising players. In 1956 he played in national trials and for the North Island, and in 1957 he was selected for the tour of Australia. He played ten matches and made his test debut, playing both of the internationals against the Wallabies, scoring a try in the second. Although a lock, he played at flanker and number 8, and even wing (from where he scored a try), as the All Black team was strong on locks.
From 1957 until 1971 Meads became essentially an automatic All Black selection, and become an iconic figure for All Black rugby. He became memorable for a number of distinctive characteristics and feats. The image of the tall lanky lock running athletically across the field to score, and the way he held the ball with just one hand, remains etched in the memory of many All Black fans. His superhuman strength and high threshold of pain was legendary â€" best illustrated when in a game against Eastern Transvaal in South Africa he emerged from a particularly vicious ruck with his arm dangling horribly, with an obvious fracture, yet completed the match. When the doctor cut away his shirt and confirmed the break, Meads muttered, "At least we won the bloody game."
He had the reputation of being what euphemistically is called "an enforcer" and certainly he was involved in his share of controversial incidents and in 1967 he became only the second All Black ordered off in a test when Irish referee Kevin Kelleher dispatched him for dangerous play against Scotland at Murrayfield
