News | Rugby
20 Nov 2025 4:53
| outlook hotmail | yahoo mail | gmail | news | weather | finance | shopping | about nzcity | Search |
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity
SEARCH 

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
    •    News
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

    •
      Home > News > Sports > Rugby

    One of the greatest characters in New Zealand rugby history has passed away

    One of the greatest characters in New Zealand rugby history has passed away


    Former All Black No 8 and coach Alex Wyllie MBE - known universally as Grizz - has died aged 80.

    Wylie played 40 matches, including 11 tests, for the All Blacks...and a whopping 210 provincial matches for his beloved Canterbury.

    Grizz coached the red-and-blacks to a Ranfurly Shield win in 1982 and his team went on to hold the trophy for a record-equalling three years.

    He also coached Canterbury to wins over the British Lions and the Wallabies before becoming assistant coach as the All Blacks won the first-ever Rugby world Cup in 1987.

    He was the All Blacks head coach from 1988 to 1991 before John Hart joined him as co-coach for the 1991 World Cup.

    © 2025 Newstalk ZB, NZCity

     Other Rugby News
     19 Nov: The All Blacks are banged up, but most players are available for what is likely to a vastly changed side to tackle Wales this weekend
     19 Nov: Caleb Clarke believes the inconsistent All Blacks can find a way out of their current malaise
     19 Nov: Samoa have become the final team to qualify for the 2027 men's Rugby World Cup in Australia after drawing 13-all with Belgium in Dubai
     19 Nov: All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke insists they've tried to tap into Aussie Rules to improve their high ball catching
     18 Nov: The All Blacks are refusing to judge the year until it's in the history books - with one final match to come against Wales
     18 Nov: New Zealand Rugby are pushing an every-game-counts mindset to showcase the benefits of the new Nations Championship format
     18 Nov: The All Blacks coaches have asked their charges to park the disappointment of a missed grand slam and move on to Sunday morning's Wales test
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The All Blacks are banged up, but most players are available for what is likely to a vastly changed side to tackle Wales this weekend More...

    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Auckland's St Kentigern College has revealed what led to a blaze in one of its classroom buildings this afternoon More...


     Today's News

    		 Health & Safety:
    Kiwi eating and exercising habits are worsening - and obesity rates rising 21:57

     Entertainment:
    Paris Hilton has thanked Carter Reum for always "believing" in her 21:55

     Entertainment:
    Eddie Murphy "was never one for giving advice" to other comedians 21:25

     Law and Order:
    Three Head Hunters-affiliated men in their 20s have been convicted of murdering teen Auckland drug dealer, Jayden Mamfredos, in 2023 21:17

     Environment:
    The fast-fix for global warming that the UN climate summit can’t ignore 21:07

     Entertainment:
    Sharon Osbourne has struggled to sleep alone since her husband Ozzy Osbourne died 20:55

     Entertainment:
    Lady Frederick Windsor thinks the lives of senior royals are "total hell" 20:25

     Law and Order:
    Police say cordons in Wellington's Newtown have been stood down, after a suspicious item was found 20:07

     Entertainment:
    Jesse Eisenberg's decision to donate a kidney stemmed from an experience filming Now You See Me 19:55

     Entertainment:
    Hailey Bieber has had a "really fun" time working on her husband Justin Bieber's clothing line 19:25

     News Search




    Power Search

    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd