Oldest surviving All Black reaches 99

CRAIG SIMCOX/Dominion Post

99 NOT OUT: Former New Zealand rugby and cricket test player Eric Tindill, who turns 99 this week, is pictured in a 2003 photo at an exhibition of rugby photos.

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The oldest living All Black, Eric Tindill, reaches the grand age of 99 tomorrow and the New Zealand rugby community will be joining in the celebrations.

Tindill has a unique record in New Zealand sport. The halfback and five eighth, who played for Wellington in the 1930s and 1940s, is thought to be the only sportsman to have played tests for New Zealand in both rugby and cricket.

He made his All Blacks debut on September 21, 1935, against Yorkshire and Cumberland at Bradford in the north of England. His first and only test appearance came later on that same tour on January 4, 1936, against England in London.

He made 14 of his 17 All Blacks appearances on that 1935-36 tour, adding three further appearances on the team’s 1938 tour of Australia.

Not only was he a full international in both rugby (1935-1936) and cricket (1937-1947) but after his playing career ended he added to this distinction by refereeing test rugby and umpiring test cricket, as well as giving lengthy service to Wellington and New Zealand cricket as an administrator. He also served as a member of the NZEF during the Second World War.

Tomorrow, New Zealand Rugby Union President John Sturgeon and other representatives of rugby will join well-wishers to visit Tindill at his Wellington home and personally deliver birthday wishes on behalf of the New Zealand rugby community. These will include a birthday card signed by those attending tonight's NZ Rugby Awards evening in Auckland, and a special All Blacks cake.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said Tindill’s story was an inspiring one and his achievements across two sports, as well as his contribution to those and other codes after his playing days, will probably never be equalled.

"We are privileged and honoured to be able to pay tribute to Eric and celebrate this incredible milestone with him,'' Tew said.

''As our last remaining pre-Second World War All Black, he is a living link with that part of our rugby history and the deeds and stories of that generation of All Blacks.''

- © Fairfax NZ News