Man of many parts

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32524, 6 February 1971, Page 9

Man of many parts

(By

J. O. COFFEY)

TIM WHITE, the former ° New Zealand Rugby league loose forward who announced his retirement earlier this week, filled a number of roles very successfully during his 25-year association with the code as a player.

In his younger days White displayed notable potential as a full-back and centre, but it was not until he moved to the back of the Addington senior team’s scrum in 1965 that he attracted the attention of provincial and national selectors. «

Promotion was quite sudden: before the end of that year he had played six times for Canterbury, represented South Island against the North and toured Britain and France with’ the Kiwis; White was not afterwards required for international duty. But for the next five seasons he was to give valuable service to Canterbury, both as a loose forward and in the second-row and, on occasions, accepting the additional responsibilities of captain and goalkicker.

He extended his total number of appearances in inter-provincial fixtures to 37—out of a possible 44 when he played in all eight games last year. During this period Canterbury has had a large turn-over of players, and it was a testimony to White’s consistency and all-round ability that his was one of the few positions which remained settled. The 1970 season was White’s most productive as a points-scorer. He contributed 48 goals and 10 tries (126) in matches for the Addington club and another 72 (from 33 goals and two tries) for Canterbury to leave him only two short of his doublecentury.

This was his first year as his club’s regular goalkicker, as he under-studied his brother, Pat—who also toured Britain and France with the 1965 team—G. H. Teaho and R. L. Lanauze in previous seasons. White aiso scored most convincingly in another phase of the sport He was elected at the code’s first “Sportsman of the Year,” an award judged by the

senior-graded referees on the principles of sportsmanship, dress and performance.

An earnest cover-defender. White was also a most capable attacking player and one of the quickest forwards in the province. He will be sorely missed by Addington, especially, and Canterbury, and it is to be hoped that he carries out his intention to accept an administrative position where his experience would be extremely useful.