Bill Gray (rugby union)

William Ngataiawhio Gray (23 December 1932 – 10 January 1993) was a New Zealand rugby union player. A second five-eighth, Gray represented Bay of Plenty at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1955 to 1957. He played 11 matches for the All Blacks including six internationals.[1]

Bill Gray
Birth nameWilliam Ngataiawhio Gray
Date of birth(1932-12-23)23 December 1932
Place of birthTe Puke, New Zealand
Date of death10 January 1993(1993-01-10) (aged 60)
Place of deathRotorua, New Zealand
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight82 kg (181 lb)
SchoolTe Puke High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Second five-eighth
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1950–1966 Bay of Plenty ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1955–1957 New Zealand
New Zealand Maori
6 (0)

Affiliating to Te Arawa and Tapuika, Gray was a New Zealand Maori representative and captain.[1][2][3] In 1956, he was awarded the Tom French Cup for Māori rugby union player of the year.[3]

An accomplished tennis player, Gray won the New Zealand Māori tennis championship in 1950.[1][2]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Luxford, Bob. "Bill Gray". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Bill Gray". Kōkiri. No. 19. 2010. p. 41. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Tom French Cup". The Press. Vol. 94, no. 28088. 2 October 1956. p. 8. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
Awards
Preceded by Tom French Memorial
Māori rugby union player of the year

1956
Succeeded by