RIP Spooky Smith

[rowan]

Ian "Spooky" Smith, an All Blacks wing who helped beat the 1965 Springboks, has passed away aged 76.

Smith, who represented Otago and North Otago, played nine tests. The left winger scored both of his test tries in the 20 - 3 fourth test victory over the South Africans in front of a 56,000 crowd at Eden Park. That gave New Zealand a 3 - 1 series victory.

The All Blacks were at the peak of their powers then, led by a forward pack with legendary figures including Colin Meads, Brian Lochore, Ken Gray, captain Wilson Whineray and Kel Tremain.

The funeral for Ian Stanley Talbot Smith will be held at Mapua near Nelson on Thursday.

Watch "Spooky" Smith score his vital tries against the Springboks here.-



http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/ar ... 51&ref=rss

[rowan]

It was just the All Blacks' second series win over the Boks (following their first in 56), and also their most decisive in the amateur era. The only other occasion being the nail-biting 81 series.

[rowan]

It really is a testament to the greatness of that All Blacks side that they were so dominant against a Springboks team which included legends like Jan Ellis, Frik du Preez, Andy Macdonald, Hannes Marais and Abe Malan in the forwards and John Gainsford, Jannie Engelbrecht and Jannie Barnard in the backs. But it was actually a terrible tour for the Boks, losing both tests to the then lowly-rated Wallabies in Australia on the way, as well as conceding a 6-23 loss to the Wellington provincial side. Apparently the squad suffered greatly from poor leadership and internal divisions, notably between the Afrikaaners and English-speakers.

[rowan]

Anyway, I have to say this was before my time and I never knew much about the guy. But here's a pretty good, concise account of his life and rugby career: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/975 ... remembered