A former All Black and key figure in Marlborough's past rugby triumphs has died

Alan Sutherland played 10 tests and a total of 64 matches for New Zealand from 1968 to 1973 as a lock and number eight.

The 76-year-old was also part of the Marlborough side which beat Canterbury 13-6 to for their inaugural Ranfurly Shield tenure in 1973, and helped defeat the French tourists of 1968.

Sutherland spent much of his life living in South Africa and is survived by family there.

He had recently had an operation for bowel cancer.

His death was not covid-19 related.