Colin Meads

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Colin Meads
Personal information
Full name	Colin Earl Meads
Date of birth	June 3 1936 ( 1936-06-03) (age 72)
Place of birth	Cambridge, New Zealand
Height	1.92 m (6 ft 3+1⁄2 in)
Weight	102 kg (16 st 1 lb)
Nickname	Pinetree
Notable relative(s)	Stanley Meads
Rugby union career
Current status
Position(s)	Retired
Playing career
Position	Flanker, No. 8, Lock
All Black No.	583
Clubs
1955-72	King Country
National team(s)		Caps	(points)
1957–1971	New Zealand	55	(65)

Colin Earl Meads, DCNZM, MBE (born June 3, 1936 in Cambridge, New Zealand) nicknamed "Pinetree", is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer who played 133 times (55 of which 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 Player of the Century at the NZRFU Awards dinner in 1999. He captained the All Blacks a number of times, most frequently in the position of 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). Meads is considered, by many to be one of the greatest players in history and certainly one of the most legendary exponents of forward play.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Family Background and Youth 1.2 Rugby 1.2.1 Provincial 1.2.2 International 1.2.3 Meads Brothers 1.3 Honours 1.4 Family 1.5 Public Profile 2 References 3 External links

[edit] Biography

[edit] Family Background and Youth

Colin Earl Meads was born to Vere Meads and Ida Meads (née Gray) on June 3, 1936, in Cambridge, New Zealand.^[1] His younger brother Stanley Meads, also an All Black, was born in 1938, and he also has a sister, Joan.

His father Vere was a descendant of early settlers Joseph Meads and Ann Meads (née Coates), who emigrated to New Zealand from England in 1842. Vere’s grandfather Zachariah Meads was among the first British children to be born in Te Aro, Wellington, in 1843, and his grandmother Elizabeth Meads (née Lazare) was the daughter of an Irish minister who had educated freed slaves on the island of Mauritius before emigrating to Wanganui. ^[2]

Vere and his wife raised their three children on a sheep farm near Te Kuiti. Meads credits the farming lifestyle for his strong physique and high level of fitness. ^[3]

[edit] Rugby

[edit] Provincial

Meads played his first game for King Country in 1955, at the age of 19. Scoring a try, and even a drop-goal (an unusual feat for a lock), Meads impressed in his debut match.

[edit] International

In 1955 Meads 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 by the Rugby Almanack as one of the 1955 season's most promising players. In 1956 Meads played in national trials and for the North Island, and in 1957 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 essentially became a defacto All Black selection and iconic figure in New Zealand 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 strength and high threshold for pain became legendary — best illustrated when in a game against Eastern Transvaal in South Africa, in which 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."

Meads had the reputation of being what euphemistically is called "an enforcer" and was involved in his share of controversial incidents. In 1967, he became only the second All Black suspended in a test match when Irish referee Kevin D. Kelleher dispatched him for dangerous play against Scotland at Murrayfield.

[edit] Meads Brothers

Meads' brother Stanley Meads played 30 matches as an All Black. In 11 matches Stanley and Colin locked the All Black scrum.

[edit] Honours

Meads was named Player of the Century at the NZRFU Awards dinner in 1999. The primary trophy contested in New Zealand's current semipro domestic competition, the Heartland Championship, bears the name Meads Cup in his honour. A Colin Meads fan club meets regularly, wearing No. 5 jerseys, drinking 5oz beers and reading from "Colin Meads All Black" while planning how to mark the great man's birthday on June 3.

[edit] Family

Meads is married to Verna Claire Meads (née Lang), with five children: Karen, Kelvin, Rhonda, Glynn and Shelly. His son Glyn "Pinecone" Meads also played rugby for King Country.

[edit] Public Profile

Meads, although retired from rugby for many years, is still a familiar face to many New Zealanders. He is a frequent public speaker at events, and still appears in a number of television spots, endorsing Honda ATVs, Bob Charles Deer Velvet, Lifejacket safety awareness, and Mastercard.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Colin Meads at AllBlacks.com
• Player profile from Otago
• NZ Rugby Museum profile
• Player listing from Planet Rugby

Sporting positions
Preceded by Brian Lochore	All Blacks Captain 1971	Succeeded by Ian Kirkpatrick

Persondata
NAME	Colin Earl Meads
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Pinetree
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Former New Zealand Rugby union footballer. Considered greatest New Zealand Rugby player of all time. Has record for New Zealand appearances.
DATE OF BIRTH	3 June 1936
PLACE OF BIRTH	Cambridge, New Zealand
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH