Colin Meads: Rugby Union
Colin Earl Meads (born 3 June 1936) is a New Zealand rugby icon who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history. He is noted as one of the best locks of all time, playing 133 games and 55 international test matches (48 at lock, 7 at the number eight position) for the New Zealand national team, All Blacks, between 1957 and 1971. Meads played his first rugby union game for King County in 1955.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Colin Meads’ captaincy holds the record of longest captaincy from the first date he was appointed captain to the last match he captained (1960-1971).
He is regarded as New Zealand’s greatest rugby player ever and was named the Player of the Century at the NZRFU Awards dinner in 1999.
Meads was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame and the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
He is also appointed the Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to rugby in 1971, the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 and accepted the redesignation as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009. The Heartland Championship is named the Meads Cup in his honor.
Why Was He So Good?
Colin Meads’ playing style was physical and uncompromising. He was nicknamed “Pinetree” and soon grew into a cult hero in his home country.
What You May Not Know
- Colin became chairman of the King Country Rugby Union from 1987 to 1994.
- His son, Glynn, played rugby for King Country and his brother is rugby union footballer Stanley Meads.
- Colin Meads grew up on a sheep farm near Te Kuiti.
Was he a legend?
Do you agree with Colin Meads being a legend of Rugby Union?
How would you rate their greatness? (from good to 'the best')
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