Wilson Whineray
The longest-serving All Blacks captain until 2014, knighted for sport and business.
via Wikipedia: Wilson Whineray · see source
Sir Wilson James Whineray (10 July 1935 – 22 October 2012) was a New Zealand business executive and rugby union player. He was the longest-serving captain of the national rugby union team, the All Blacks, until surpassed by Richie McCaw in 2014. Rugby writer Terry McLean considered him the All Blacks' greatest captain.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- Wilson James Whineray
- Born
- 10 July 1935
- Birthplace
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Died
- 22 October 2012
- School
- Auckland Grammar School
- University
- University of Auckland
- Harvard University
- Lincoln University
- Height
- 1.83 m / 6 ft
- Weight
- 94 kg / 207 lb
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 (67 as captain) including 32 tests (30 as captain). He played mostly as a prop. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1962 New Year Honours and named New Zealand Sportsperson of the Year in 1965.
Reader's Guide
After rugby, Whineray earned an MBA from Harvard University, returned to New Zealand in 1969, and worked at Alex Harvey Industries (later Carter Holt Harvey), becoming deputy managing director and later chairman. 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). He was knighted in the 1998 Queen's Birthday Honours (KNZM) and inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2004 he was a top contender to become Governor-General. He was the first New Zealander inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2007. He died in Auckland in 2012 at age 77 and was buried at Purewa Cemetery.
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