Lance Johnson (rugby union)

Launcelot Matthew "Lance" Johnson (9 August 1897 – 11 January 1983) was a New Zealand rugby union player. Equally comfortable at either first or second five-eighth, Johnson represented Wellington and Hawke's Bay at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1925, 1928 and 1930. He played 25 matches for the All Blacks, including four internationals. He served as a Canterbury selector from 1949 to 1950.[2]

Lance Johnson
Birth nameLauncelot Matthew Johnson
Date of birth(1897-08-09)9 August 1897
Place of birthLumsden, New Zealand
Date of death11 January 1983(1983-01-11) (aged 85)
Place of deathChristchurch, New Zealand
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight74 kg (163 lb)
SchoolSouthland Boys' High School
Occupation(s)Accountant[1]
Rugby union career
Position(s) First five-eighth
Second five-eighth
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1923–25, 27–32 Wellington ()
1926 Hawke's Bay ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1925, 1928, 1930 New Zealand 4 (0)

Johnson enlisted in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade in August 1917 with the rank of rifleman, and arrived in France in September 1918, two months before the end of World War I. During World War II he served as a warrant officer in the National Reserve between 1940 and 1943.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Johnson, Lancelot Matthew - WWI 71040, WWII 478412 - Army". Archives New Zealand. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  2. ^ Neazor, Paul. "Lance Johnson". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 11 January 2016.