Former All Blacks captain Frank Oliver has died at the age of 65, his old provincial club Manawatu said on Tuesday, describing him as “a truly great rugby man”.
Oliver played for the All Blacks 43 times from 1976-81, including 17 Tests, captaining the New Zealanders to a series win over Australia in 1978. His son Anton Oliver was also an All Blacks captain.
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“He was one of New Zealand’s tough men of rugby, both as a player and as a coach,” Manawatu chief executive John Knowles said in a statement.
“The province will feel this loss immensely and our sympathy and condolences are extended to his family.”
After hanging up his boots, Oliver had spells coaching the Wellington Hurricanes and Auckland Blues in Super rugby, bringing the same no-nonsense approach to the role that he displayed on the field.
The cause of death was not immediately known. Reports said he died in bed at home in Palmerston North on Sunday night.
Rest in peace, Frank…. a stalwart of New Zealand Rugby!
Commisserations to Anton Oliver (his son and also a former All Blacks captain), and the rest of Frank’s family and friends.
RIP!
To young to die.
My Mother always used to say, “If you can’t say something nice about the dead, don’t say anything at all”.
Well,…………………… I was never good at taking advice.
-Frank was a hard man for sure. But he was never going to be a brain surgeon.
-He was a distinct failure as a Coach.
-And yes, true, his Son also Captained NZ, but that was no thanks to Frank, who had little or no input into Anton’s up bringing. Or Rugby life.
-Anton was raised by his Mum. Solely.
In fact I think Frank could have been an A……………ar…..ars……….(I can hear my Mum, so I’ll stop right here).
The inimitable Caner.
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