Sir Colin Meads
Sir Colin Meads will finally be inducted into the International Rugby Board Hall of Fame.
The IRB Hall of Fame and the International Rugby Hall of Fame will merge this year to create one definitive rugby hall of fame.
It will see 37 greats of the game not already included in the IRB Hall of Fame inducted, creating a unique record of those who have excited and inspired rugby fans.
For years Sir Colin Meads had missed out on the IRB Hall of Fame, but now he will be recognised alongside several other greats.
They include Sean Fitzpatrick, Grant Fox, George Nepia, John Kirwan and Graham Mourie.
The latest inductions will take place at a series of events throughout 2014 and 2015.
IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said recognising those who have shaped the game on and off the field was important to the IRB.
”Over the next year and a half we will be inducting some of the greats of our Game into the IRB Hall of Fame at events around the globe, culminating at Rugby World Cup 2015,” he said.
”I would like to thank the owners of the International Rugby Hall of Fame for their support in creating one definitive celebration of the sport.”
John Hart, Chairman of Global Rugby Enterprises Limited which owns the International Rugby Hall of Fame, said he is delighted to reach an agreement with the IRB.
”In doing so we have preserved the history of the International Rugby Hall of Fame by ensuring the induction of our 37 inductees who are not already in the IRB Hall of Fame.”
”We wish the IRB Hall of Fame continued success.”
The integration process will sit alongside the 2014 programme of inductions that will also recognise pioneers and greats from the women’s game and some of the great characters from the beginning of the 20th century.
The full list of inductees is:
- Fred Allen
- Bill Beaumont
- Phil Bennett
- Naas Botha
- Gordon Brown
- Don Clarke
- Gerald Davies
- Mervyn Davies
- Morné du Plessis
- Frik du Preez
- Ieuan Evans
- Sean Fitzpatrick
- Grant Fox
- Danie Gerber
- Tim Horan
- Andy Irvine
- Carwyn James
- Barry John
- Michael Jones
- Tom Kiernan
- Ian Kirkpatrick
- John Kirwan
- Jason Leonard
- Michael Lynagh
- Bill McLaren
- Terry McLean
- Jo Maso
- Colin Meads
- Graham Mourie
- Hennie Muller
- George Nepia
- Gwyn Nicholls
- Jean-Pierre Rives
- Fergus Slattery
- Joost van der Westhuizen
- Wavell Wakefield
- JPR Williams
- Keith Wood