Lachie Grant

Lachlan Ashwell Grant (4 October 1923 – 27 April 2002) was a New Zealand rugby union player. Born in Temuka, Grant is regarded as that town's finest rugby product.[1] A flanker and lock, Booth represented South Canterbury at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1947 to 1951. He played 23 matches for the All Blacks including four internationals, and captained the team in two matches during the 1951 tour of Australia.[2]

Lachie Grant
Birth nameLachlan Ashwell Grant
Date of birth(1923-10-04)4 October 1923
Place of birthTemuka, New Zealand
Date of death27 April 2002(2002-04-27) (aged 78)
Place of deathTimaru, New Zealand
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight89 kg (196 lb)
SchoolTimaru Boys' High School
Occupation(s)Farmer
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, lock
All Black No. 471
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1941–1953 South Canterbury ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1947–1951 New Zealand 4 (0)

Early life and rugby

Educated at Timaru Boys' High School, Grant played club rugby for the Temuka Rugby Club, and made his debut for South Canterbury in 1941 as a 17-year-old.[2] He then served overseas with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) during World War II.[2] Following the end of the war, he was called into the 2NZEF rugby team, known as the "Kiwis", that toured Britain and France, as an injury replacement early in the tour, and he appeared in 13 matches.[2]

Post-war rugby

Returning from the war Grant played for Temuka and South Canterbury. However, it was not too long before higher honours beckoned including appearances for the Hanan Shields Districts in 1946, and New Zealand trials in 1947, culminating in his selection for the All Blacks' 1947 tour of Australia.[2] He made his Test debut against Australia at Brisbane on 14 July 1947.[2] During his All Blacks career, Grant scored four tries.[2]

Grant was captain of the 1950 South Canterbury team that defeated Wairarapa 17–14 to lift the Ranfurly Shield; in that match he scored two tries and converted a penalty from halfway.[3]

Later life and death

After his retirement as a player, Grant was a committee member at the Temuka Rugby Club, and in 1976 he served as president of the South Canterbury Rugby Football Union.[2] He died in Timaru on 27 April 2002.[2]

References
  1. "History". Temuka Rugby Club. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  2. Luxford, Bob. "Lachie Grant". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  3. Piddington, Stu (11 October 2012). "Former player recalls stunning shield match". Timaru Herald. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
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