Retirement Of L Blanchard

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28630, 5 July 1958, Page 5

Retirement Of L Blanchard

One of Canterbury’s most popular Rugby League players, L. Blanchard, has announced his retirement. He suffered a leg injury in the match for Linwood against Hornby some weeks ago.

Making his first appearance for Linwood in 1949, Blanchard has been a Canterbury representative almost regularly ever since. In 1951 he was chosen as a member of the New Zealand team to tour England and France. After suffering an injury in the early part of the tour he completed 12 matches in England without playing in any of the tests, but was a regular member of the side in the French section of the itinerary. He played in one test and was also a member of the Kiwi team that played a British Empire thirteen at London before returning to New Zealand. Australian Tour In the following season he toured Australia, playing in all three tests, a series which New Zealand won handsomely. In 1954 he played in two tests against the touring British team, and in November of the same year went to France to take part in the first World Cup series, appearing in all three tests.

This was followed by appearances against France in the two tests in New Zealand in 1955. This was the season that New Zealand embarked on its third post-war tour of England and France, and Blanchard was again a member. He played in 22 matches, including four tests. That completed Blanchard’s international career. In all he played 61 matches in the Kiwi jersey, including 16 tests. He scored only four tries for New Zealand but hjs ability at retrieving the loose ball enabled many others to be scored.

Selector and Coach

This season he played two games for Canterbury, against West Coast and Auckland, captaining the team in both matches. He has also been a Canterbury selector, and at present he coaches the Linwood team.