NZRU president John Sturgeon will represent the New Zealand rugby community delivering birthday wishes & a special All Blacks cake to NZ’s oldest living All Black, Eric Tindill, who turns 99 on Friday.

Mr Tindill, a Wellington halfback & first five eighth in the 30s & 40s, is believed to be the only living sportsman to have represented New Zealand in both rugby & cricket at test level – an extraordinary achievement in addition to being a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during World War 2.

Mr Tindill debuted on September 21, 1935 for the All Blacks against Yorkshire & 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.

He was a full international in both rugby (1935-1936) and cricket (1937-1947) and after his playing career ended, he refereed test rugby and umpired test cricket. He gave lengthy service to Wellington and New Zealand Cricket as an administrator.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said Mr Tindill’s story was a remarkable & inspiring one and that his achievements across two sports, inaddition to his contribution to those and other codes after his playing days, would probably never be equalled. “We are privileged and honoured to be able to pay tribute to Eric and celebrate this incredible milestone with him,” said Tew.

Happy birthday Eric 🙂