Former All Black Neil Purvis dies

Former All Blacks wing Neil Purvis is understood to have died on his Otago farm.

Purvis, who was 55, was reported to have died on Sunday while trying to save one of his cows which was cast in a mudhole.

Apart from being an All Black, Purvis was the owner and breeder of many top thoroughbred race horses including Cluden Creek who won the Wellington Cup.

Purvis was an outside back whose steady and reliable play first for Wairarapa-Bush and then between 1973 and 1981 for Otago was rewarded with All Black honours in 1976.

Born in Central Otago, Purvis first came to prominence as an 18-year old in 1971 while working on the farm near Masterton of then All Black captain Brian Lochore.

Purvis played 24 matches for Wairarapa-Bush in 1971-72, mainly as a second five eighths and occasionally at centre, including the clash against the 1971 British Lions.

He also appeared for the New Zealand Under-21 side in 1972.

In 1973 he retuirned to his home province, appearing in nine matches for Otago as a mid-field back. He was chosen for that year's New Zealand Colts side but could not take his place because of injury.

In 1974-75 he gained a national place, playing five matches for the New Zealand Juniors including the drawn game against the touring Romanians at Athletic Park.

In 1974, with Otago well served in the five eighths by Duncan Robertson and Lyn Jaffray and at centre by Don Colling, Purvis switched to the wing. Though not exceptionally fast he was a competent performer and a consistent try scorer.

He played in the 1976 trials and just before selection for the tour of South Africa that year gained his All Black jersey, and only test cap, when, because of an injury to Grant Batty, he was on the wing for the one-off international at Athletic Park against the touring Irish.

In South Africa Purvis's lack of true pace was found out a little on the rock hard grounds. But from his 11 appearances he gained nine tries including doubles against Transvaal Country Invitation XV, the Leopards and Griqualand West Invitation XV.

Purvis was not picked for the All Blacks again, though he appeared in trials in each of the 1977 and 1978 seasons and for the South Island for a second time in 1978.

In 1978 in what was probably his best position at centre, he helped Otago to a 10-8 win over the touring Wallabies.

In all he made 56 appearances for Otago before his career ended in 1981.

Purvis also played Brabin Cup cricket for Otago in 1973.

He farmed Cluden Station at Tarras, near Cromwell.