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Story: Rugby union

Wilson Whineray

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Wilson Whineray

Wilson Whineray tries to grab the ball during a test match against the French at Eden Park on 22 July 1961.  Dennis Young (left) and Nev MacEwan  and Ian Clarke (right) look on. New Zealand won 13-6.  Whineray’s All Black career began in 1957, and the last of his 77 games for the team came when he led New Zealand to victory in the fourth test against the Springboks at Eden Park, Auckland, in 1965. He had been captain on 68 occasions. A loose-head prop, Whineray was an outstanding captain and the All Blacks suffered only four test defeats under his leadership. Subsequently Whineray became a successful business leader and was knighted for his services. He died in October 2012.

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Ron Palenski, Rugby union – International rugby – northern hemisphere, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/40027/wilson-whineray (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Ron Palenski, published 30 November 2012, updated 1 September 2016.