Bob Graham (rugby union)

Bob Graham
Birth nameRobert Harold Graham
Date of birth(1936-08-13)13 August 1936
Place of birthNew Plymouth, New Zealand
Date of death19 October 2021(2021-10-19) (aged 85)
SchoolNew Plymouth Boys' High School
UniversityAuckland University College
Notable relative(s)John Graham (brother)
Beauden Barrett (grandson-in-law)
Occupation(s)Business advisor
Rugby union career
Position(s) Blindside flanker
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1958–1965 Auckland 103 (42)
- North Island ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Junior All Blacks
– New Zealand Universities
Coaching career
Years Team
1966–1969 Auckland
1972–1974 Auckland University RFC

Robert Harold Graham (13 August 1936 – 19 October 2021) was a New Zealand rugby union player and coach.

A blindside flanker, Graham represented Auckland at a provincial level from 1958 to 1965, playing 103 games, and captained the side from 1960.[1] He was a Junior All Black in 1959, appearing in their 29–9 loss to the touring British Isles team.[2] He was on the fringe of full national selection, playing an All Black trial as a team captain in 1961,[3] and captaining The Rest in a 20–8 loss against the All Blacks in 1960.[4]

Graham went on to coach the Auckland provincial team from 1966 to 1969. He also coached the Auckland University RFC team from 1972 to 1974, leading them to win the Gallaher Shield in 1974.[1] He was president of the New Zealand Barbarians club between 1982 and 1983, a life member of the Auckland Rugby Union,[1] and a life trustee of the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation.[5]

Born in New Plymouth on 13 August 1936, and educated at New Plymouth Boys' High School, Graham graduated from Auckland University College with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1958.[1][6][7] He was a founding partner of business advisory consultants Brown Woolley Graham that eventually became Grant Thornton New Zealand.[8]

Graham was the brother of Sir John Graham,[1] and his granddaughter Hannah Laity married Beauden Barrett.[9] He died on 19 October 2021.[6][8][10]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "In memory of Bob Graham". Auckland Rugby. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Lions beat Junior All Blacks". The Press. Vol. 98, no. 28990. 3 September 1959. p. 23. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  3. ^ "All Black trials". The Press. Vol. 100, no. 29538. 13 June 1961. p. 21. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  4. ^ "All Blacks beat The Rest, 20–8". The Press. Vol. 99, no. 29325. 3 October 1960. p. 16. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  5. ^ Halberg Disability Sport Foundation Annual Report (PDF). 2017. p. 30. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Death search: registration number 2021/30551". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  7. ^ "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: G". Shadows of Times. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Memories & condolences". New Zealand Herald. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Rugby: Beauden Barrett pays tribute to wife Hannah Laity's grandfather". New Zealand Herald. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Robert Graham death notice". New Zealand Herald. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.