Bill Bush

Not to be confused with Billy Bush.

Bill Bush
MNZM
Birth nameWilliam Kingita Te Pohe Bush
Date of birth (1949-01-24) 24 January 1949 (age 75)
Place of birthNapier, New Zealand
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight103 kg (227 lb)
SchoolWhakatane High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1971–82 Canterbury ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1973–82 New Zealand Māori
1974–79 New Zealand 12 (0)

William Kingita Te Pohe Bush MNZM (born 24 January 1949) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A prop, Bush represented Canterbury at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1974 to 1979. He played 37 matches for the All Blacks including 12 internationals.[1] He also represented, coached and selected for Māori All Blacks.

In the 1996 Queen's Birthday Honours, Bush was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to rugby.[2] In 2021 he was made a life member of New Zealand Māori Rugby Board.

Personal life

Bush is a New Zealander of Māori descent (Ngāti Hineuru and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui descent).[3]

In October 2022 Bush was engaged to be the bus driver for the All Black squad.[4]

References

  1. ^ Knight, Lindsay. "Billy Bush". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  2. ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 1996". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 3 June 1996. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  3. ^ "Ex-All Blacks warriors Tane Norton and Bill Bush honoured with carving". Stuff. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  4. ^ "All Blacks driven around Nelson by former 12-Test prop Bill Bush".
Awards
Preceded by Tom French Memorial
Māori rugby union player of the year
1975 		Succeeded by


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