Wilson Whineray

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Lore & Background

Whineray played for six first-class teams: Wairarapa, Mid Canterbury, Manawatu, Canterbury, Waikato, and Auckland. He also played for the South Island, North Island, and New Zealand Universities sides. He first played for the All Blacks in 1957, became captain in 1958 at age 23, and played 77 matches for the All Blacks between 1957 and 1965, 67 as captain, including 32 tests (30 as captain). He played mostly as a prop. He was appointed an OBE in the 1962 New Year Honours for services to sport, especially to rugby football. He was named New Zealand Sportsperson of the Year in 1965. After rugby, he gained an MBA from Harvard University and returned to New Zealand in 1969. He worked at Alex Harvey Industries (later Carter Holt Harvey), becoming deputy managing director and then chairman, retiring from the board in 2003. He was managing director of NZ Wool Marketing Corporation (1973–74), chairman of the National Bank of New Zealand, and a director of Auckland International Airport and APN News & Media. He chaired the Hillary Commission (1993–1998) and was honorary Colonel Commandant of the New Zealand Special Air Service (1997–2001). In the 1998 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) for services to sport and business management. He was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2003. In November 2004, he was a top contender to replace Dame Silvia Cartwright as Governor-General; Bob Howitt said that had he allowed his name to go forward, he would have become Governor-General. He became the first New Zealander inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame on 21 October 2007. He died in Auckland in 2012 at age 77 and was buried at Purewa Cemetery.

In Their Own Story

After retiring from rugby in 1965, Whineray pursued an MBA at Harvard University, where he played for the Harvard Business School RFC. He returned to New Zealand in 1969 to join Alex Harvey Industries, which later became Carter Holt Harvey. Rising through the ranks, he served as deputy managing director and eventually chairman of the board by 2003. Beyond rugby and corporate leadership, he managed the NZ Wool Marketing Corporation (1973–74), chaired the National Bank of New Zealand, and held directorships at Auckland International Airport and APN News & Media. His influence extended to sports funding as chairman of the Hillary Commission (1993–1998) and service as honorary Colonel Commandant of the New Zealand Special Air Service (1997–2001). In 2007, he became the first New Zealander inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame following a public vote.

Reader's Guide

Whineray played 32 tests (30 as captain), 45 games (37 as captain), total 77 matches (67 as captain). Test points: 6 (2 tries). Game points: 18 (5 tries, 1 dropped goal). Total points: 24 (7 tries, 1 dropped goal).

Did You Know?

• Whineray was the longest-serving All Blacks captain until Richie McCaw surpassed him in 2014.
• He played for six first-class teams due to his early career as an agricultural cadet.
• He was named New Zealand Sportsperson of the Year in 1965.
• He earned an MBA from Harvard University after retiring from rugby.
• He was a top contender to become Governor-General of New Zealand in 2006.