Obituary
MR T. A. FRENCH Mr T. A. French, one of the most respected figures in New Zealand Rugby, died yesterday at his home in Manurewa. Among the honours bestowed on him for services to the sport, and particularly to Maori Rugby, was membership of the New Zealand Rugby Union in 1959, when no fewer than 15 delegates spoke to his nomination. . Mr French played four matches for Auckland in 1914 before going to the First World War, where he was wounded and lost an arm.
Afterwards he was manager of an All Black team in New Zealand, and selector of many New Zealand Maori and Auckland teams. Mr French won such respect as manager of the 1949 New Zealand Maori side touring Australia that the Australian Rugby Union gave a cup, known as the Tom French Cup, in his honour. This trophy is now awarded to the outstanding Maori player of the year.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CX, Issue 32350, 16 July 1970, Page 14
Word Count
154Obituary Press, Volume CX, Issue 32350, 16 July 1970, Page 14
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