RIP: All Black winger dies
12/05/2024 04:50 AM
New Zealand Rugby has confirmed the passing of former All Black star winger Jon McLachlan on Wednesday.
He was 75.
According to McLachlan’s player profile on the official All Blacks website, his four tries on debut against South Australia equalled the best start by any individual in national colours.
McLachlan would go on to earn his first and only Test appearance against the Wallabies in Brisbane later on the same tour.
Apart from that Test cap, he played seven games on the trip and scored total of eight tries.
After a long battle with injuries, which curtailed his career, the one-time All Black finally called it quits when he retired in 1978.
NEW ZEALAND RUGBY MOURNS LOSS OF ALL BLACK
“Our thoughts are with the family of All Black #732 Jon McLachlan, who passed away this week aged 75,” read the All Blacks’ statement.
“McLachlan played eight matches for the All Blacks, over 50 games for Auckland, and was a Life Member of Grammar Tec Rugby Club. Forever part of the All Blacks’ legacy.”
Following the news of the All Black player’s passing, the South African rugby community has also been rocked by the passing of John Williams, who served as the first Springbok head coach post-isolation in 1992. He was 78.
Williams had been in a coma for the last 10 days, but he never regained consciousness and passed peacefully in hospital on Thursday morning following a battle with leukaemia.
The tragic news of his death was confirmed by SA Rugby.
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