New Zealand
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Sir Colin Earl Meads
Cambridge, New Zealand
Archival Overview
New Zealand rugby union lock for the All Blacks, voted New Zealand's Rugby Player of the Century, the definitive symbol of Kiwi rugby grit and toughness.
Biographical Record
Sir Colin Earl Meads (1936–2017), universally known across New Zealand as Pinetree, was the towering embodiment of Kiwi rugby folklore. Playing 133 matches (including 55 Tests) for the All Blacks between 1957 and 1971, Meads ruled the forward pack with ferocious power, unmatched stamina, and rural farm-bred toughness.
In 1970 against South Africa, Meads famously played the entire second half with a broken arm. In 1999, he was named New Zealand's Rugby Player of the Century, his legacy honored by a bronze statue in his hometown of Te Kuiti.
Key Life Milestones
Unbeaten All Blacks Tour of Britain and France
Anchored the All Blacks forward pack on an undefeated European tour, dismantling England, Wales, and France.
Playing with a Broken Arm in South Africa
Played out a brutal Test match against the Springboks in Eastern Province with a fractured arm, becoming a legend.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialTe Kuiti, New Zealand