Alan Blake

Alan Walter Blake (3 November 1922 – 31 October 2010) was a New Zealand rugby union player. A flanker, Blake represented Wairarapa at a provincial level. He played for the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in a single test match in 1949. Despite not having any Māori ancestry, Blake played 26 matches for New Zealand Māori and captained the side in 1950.[2] He had an African American grandfather.[3]

For the Australian rugby league player, see Alan Blake (rugby league).

Alan Blake
Birth nameAlan Walter Blake
Date of birth(1922-11-03)3 November 1922
Place of birthCarterton, New Zealand
Date of death31 October 2010(2010-10-31) (aged 87)
Place of deathMasterton, New Zealand
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight92 kg (203 lb)
SchoolWairarapa College
Occupation(s)Freezing works supervisor[1]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
All Black No. 501
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1941–60 Wairarapa 108 ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1949
1948–50		 New Zealand
New Zealand Māori		 1
26		 (0)

During World War II, Blake served as a trooper with the 4th New Zealand Armoured Brigade from 1943, and saw action in Italy.[4] At the end of the war, he toured with the New Zealand Army rugby team, known as the "Kiwis", appearing in 24 matches.[2]

References
  1. Wairarapa Electoral District: main roll of persons entitled to vote for Members of Parliament of New Zealand. 1972. p. 23.
  2. Knight, Lindsay. "Kiwi Blake". New Zealand Rugby Museum. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  3. "Death of former All Black Kiwi Blake". Radio New Zealand News. 3 November 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  4. "Alan Walter Blake". Online Cenotaph. Auckland War Memorial Museum. Retrieved 3 November 2015.


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