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3 Jul 2025 16:26
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      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
     03 Jul: Tupou Vaa'i has been tasked with moving to the blindside flank in a new-look All Blacks pack for Saturday's first test of the year against France
     03 Jul: Coach Scott Robertson is confident he's nailing a number of objectives in naming the first All Blacks side of the year
     03 Jul: David Havili's dusting himself off from the disappointment of missing the All Blacks first squad of the year for a rare second crack at the British and Irish Lions
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     02 Jul: The Maori All Blacks are making some strategic adjustments as they prepare to host Scotland in Whangarei on Saturday
     02 Jul: Maori All Blacks first five Rivez Reihana admits he was unnerved by the shot clock rule change against the Japan XV , as he looks to reset against Scotland in Whangarei on Saturday
     02 Jul: One-test All Black Aidan Ross will wholeheartedly embrace any opportunity to represent the Wallabies
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