Rugby Union Legend Ralph Caulton Passes Away at 87
New Zealand rugby union icon Ralph Caulton has passed away at the age of 87, as confirmed by NZ Rugby. Caulton, who played as a winger, represented the All Blacks in 50 games between 1959 and 1964, becoming the 600th player to don the iconic black jersey.
Tributes have poured in for the legendary figure, who left an indelible mark on the sport. In a statement, NZ Rugby expressed their condolences, saying:
“Our thoughts are with the family of All Black #600 Ralph Caulton. Ralph gave so much to the game – having played 50 matches in the black jersey, he then went on to coach at his club Pōneke, and served as an administrator for both Wellington RFU and NZRFU. Rest in peace, Ralph.”
During his illustrious career, Caulton played 16 Test matches for New Zealand, scoring eight tries. He was renowned for his well-balanced and quick running style, as well as his ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, making him a vital cog in the All Blacks’ attacking machinery.
In an interview in 2020, Caulton fondly recalled the role his teammate, Terry Lineen, played in launching his international career. The pair formed a formidable partnership, featuring together in three of the four Tests against the British and Irish Lions in 1959 and two against South Africa the following year.
Lineen’s daring attacking strategy allowed Caulton to enjoy a brilliant debut for the All Blacks, a fact that the former halfback would regularly remind his teammate of whenever they crossed paths:
“Every time I used to see him, he would say ‘I made you’ and I used to say ‘you are right, you did’. In those days the marking was very intense because they [the defending team’s backline] used to line up at the back of the lineout. So it was very hard to get the ball to the wings, let alone the centres. You had no show because you wouldn’t have enough time.”
Caulton’s contributions extended beyond the playing field, as he went on to coach at his local club Pōneke and served as an administrator for both the Wellington RFU and NZRFU, further cementing his legacy in the sport.
The rugby union community has been deeply saddened by the passing of this iconic figure, whose name will forever be etched in the annals of New Zealand’s illustrious rugby history.
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