George Nepia, rugby legend, dies

Press, 28 August 1986, Page 40

George Nepia, rugby legend, dies

PA Gisborne New Zealand rugby lost one of its most famous identities with the death yesterday of the All Black great, George Nepia.

He died in Ruatoria at the home of his son, Winston, where he lived after returning to the East Coast recently to be with his family. He was 81.

George Nepia made his Ail Black debut as a member of the 1924 “Invincibles”, at the age of 19. In the next 13 months he played 39 consecutive matches for New Zealand, winning praise for his technical skills in fielding the high bail, kicking and tackling. He played 46 games for the All Blacks from 1924 to 1930, nine of which

were test matches, and scored 99 points for New Zealand — a try, 39

conversions and six penalty goals.

The “Invincibles” were the first All Black team to tour Britain without losing a match and George Nepia made a huge impression. He played mostly at fullback, where he established a reputation as one of the greatest Only four members of the “Invincibles” remain. They are W. C. Dailey, A. C. C. Robilliard, C. E. 0. Badeley and J. Richardson.

Nepia was 16 when he played his first provincial match, for East Coast Districts. At 45 he became the oldest New Zealander ever to play in a first-class match, when he captained the Olym-

plan Club against Poverty Bay, which was led by one of his sons, George. Between those years he played rugby league for two seasons in Britain and represented New Zealand in that code on his return in 1937. He was reinstated to rugby union in 1947.

George Nepia was keen on all sport, particularly rugby and tennis, and kept fit ail his life. He was in Dunedin last Saturday to watch the All Blacks beat Australia in the second test. He was born at Nuhaka, about 70km south-west of Gisborne, on April 25, 1905, and attended the Nuhaka Maori School and later the Mormon Agricultural College in Hastings. His parents wanted

their son to go to Te Aute College in Hawke's Bay, but young George insisted on attending the Mormon Agricultural College because he wanted to be with his friends. It was at the Mormon college that Nepia learnt some of the rugby skills

that were to make him famous and his teacher, Elder Moser, soon noticed the young man’s promise as a full-back. On leaving the college, Nepia worked on his father’s dairy and sheep farm at Nuhaka and in 1926 he married Huinga Kohere, of Rangitukia, near Ruatoria and for many years the couple lived in the Wairoa district where Nepia managed a number of farms, including Ohuia Station. He later spent a number of years in Masterton, where he worked for an industrial company and in 1964 he co-wrote a book called “I, George Nepia”. His club rugby record was 1922-24, Mormon Agricultural College; 1925, Dannevirke Aotea; 1926, Nuhaka.

He represented the North Island in 1924, 1925 and 1933, and took part in New Zealand trials in 1924, 1929, 1930 and 1935. He represented Hawke’s Bay-Poverty Bay-East Coast combined in 1923 and Poverty BayBay of Plenty-East Coast combined in 1930, and played for New Zealand Maoris in 1928, 1930 and 1935. Earlier this year Nepia was the subject of a “This Is Your Life” television programme. A member of Ngati Kahungungu, Mr Nepia was predeceased by his wife but is survived by three children, Kiwi, Oma and Winston. His son, George, was killed while serving with the N.Z. Army in Malaya. ® The Government yesterday expressed sad-

ness at Nepia’s death. J The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Tapsell, yesterday sent a telegram to elders of thq Hinepare Marae in Rangitukia. » The message said: “The Prime Minister has asked me to express the great sadness of ail members of the Government at the passing of a great rugby player and a great New Zealander. . “During his playing days George dominated the rugby fields both at home and abroad and since then he has been respected by everyone as a dignified gentleman and a leader of Ngati Porou and all Maoridom. “We will all miss him and I would be grateful if you will convey our condolences to all his many relatives and friends.”