RugbyRebels

Sad to hear but not surprising either its a bastard of a disease. Was lucky enough to meet him him a few times and even bought him a jug in Hornby Working Mans Club. Bloody good bugger, RIP Pinetree...

Very sad news. Arguably the greatest All Black ever, though at times a brute on the field, always a gentleman off it.

RIP Pinetree.

RIP big fella.

Just a massive name in the game, whilst a player and still afterwards as a public figure. A simply massive legacy, and by all accounts a top bloke too. RIP

New Zealand's Player of the 20th Century, but many an oldtimer will tell you his brother was just as good. Stan retired early from the international game, however, and the rumour I heard was that the missus gave him an ultimatum. Stan Meads is still with us, btw, aged 79. I also recall watching Colin Meads' son Glynn (aka Pine Cone) score two tries in an All Blacks trial back in the 80s. Surprisingly didn't make the cut, and I couldn't help but think too many people were simply comparing him to his old man.

For those who are not aware, "It wouldn't have happened in Pinetree's day" is basically a standard catch phrase in New Zealand rugby circles, used to describe any kind of nonsense going down in the professional age - the current sex scandals, being a good example.

Always sad news when one of your all time heroes dies. RIP Pinetree

rowan wrote:New Zealand's Player of the 20th Century, but many an oldtimer will tell you his brother was just as good. Stan retired early from the international game, however, and the rumour I heard was that the missus gave him an ultimatum. Stan Meads is still with us, btw, aged 79. I also recall watching Colin Meads' son Glynn (aka Pine Cone) score two tries in an All Blacks trial back in the 80s. Surprisingly didn't make the cut, and I couldn't help but think too many people were simply comparing him to his old man.

For those who are not aware, "It wouldn't have happened in Pinetree's day" is basically a standard catch phrase in New Zealand rugby circles, used to describe any kind of nonsense going down in the professional age - the current sex scandals, being a good example.

If you are Grahame Thorne, maybe.

He might have coined the phrase, I'm not sure. But it's widely used. Mercifully most of the other things the Thorne came out with during his abysmal match commentaries have long since been forgotten, as he made the natural progression from blithering idiot on the sports programmes to clownish bonehead in the political arena.

There is a darker subplot, thornier than his commentating and political mewlings.

morepork wrote:

rowan wrote:New Zealand's Player of the 20th Century, but many an oldtimer will tell you his brother was just as good. Stan retired early from the international game, however, and the rumour I heard was that the missus gave him an ultimatum. Stan Meads is still with us, btw, aged 79. I also recall watching Colin Meads' son Glynn (aka Pine Cone) score two tries in an All Blacks trial back in the 80s. Surprisingly didn't make the cut, and I couldn't help but think too many people were simply comparing him to his old man.

For those who are not aware, "It wouldn't have happened in Pinetree's day" is basically a standard catch phrase in New Zealand rugby circles, used to describe any kind of nonsense going down in the professional age - the current sex scandals, being a good example.

If you are Grahame Thorne, maybe.

Yep. That kind of shit would've just been kept under wraps, or written off as "boys being boys." Hell, it probably did and I wouldn't be surprised if he's the tip of the iceberg.

I only intended it as a tribute to the Pinetree's greatness and mana, and the high esteem in which he is held by the New Zealand rugby community.

Rowan....not a dig at you or Meads. Enough now.
RIP Pine Tree.

Bummer. Pretty good life though, and that's as much as any of us can hope for. RIP Pinetree.

Sad news. Know a few lads from Waitete RFC and they always understandably spoke highly of him.

Meads was basically the rock of one of the greatest All Blacks teams throughout the 1960s, during which they manhandled the Boks in New Zealand and whitewashed The Lions, French and Aussies. They also went on a couple of rampaging tours to the Northern Hemisphere but were denied a slam on the first occasion by a draw with Scotland and on the second by an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Ireland (forcing the cancellation of the test). It was probably the first time in history New Zealand could call itself the number one rugby playing nation on the planet, while only the 1920s 'Invincibles' (who drew series' with SA both home & away) rivalled them in terms of their standing as the best All Blacks side of the pre-World Cup era. Indeed, that sixties team has been the benchmark for All Blacks teams ever since.

It was only a shame that the Pinetree's career culminated in, firstly, a series loss in SA (1970), then defeat to the Lions a year later - a series in which he captained the team, and the only one to date the All Blacks have actually lost. But he was in his mid-30s by then and undoubtedly past his sell-by date. It was also a shame that his era directly preceded the age of televised rugby. The very year after his retirement New Zealand v Australia was broadcast live, and after that the practice became commonplace.

He was a player who others respected and young players like me just looked up and watched in awe at the way he played the game.

Rest well....it is the peace you deserve after the life of pleasure you gave us all.

He was a player who others respected and young players like me just looked up and watched in awe at the way he played the game.

Rest well....it is the peace you deserve after the life of pleasure you gave us all.