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{{Short description|New Zealand rugby union player}}
{{Short description|New Zealand rugby union player (1940–2021)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
{{Infobox rugby biography
| image = Waka Nathan c1961.jpg
| image = Waka Nathan c1961.jpg
| caption = Nathan, {{circa|1961}}
| caption = Nathan, {{circa|1961}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1940|7|8}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1940|7|8}}
| birth_place = [[Auckland]], New Zealand
| birth_place = [[Auckland]], New Zealand
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2021|09|24|1940|7|8|df=y}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2021|09|24|1940|7|8|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Howick, New Zealand|Howick]], Auckland, New Zealand
| death_place = [[Howick, New Zealand|Howick]], Auckland, New Zealand
| height = 1.80 m
| height = 1.80 m
| weight = {{convert|92|kg|lbs|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|92|kg|lbs|abbr=on}}
⚫
| ru_position = [[Flanker (rugby union)|Flanker]]
| allblackid = 648
⚫
| repyears1 = 1962–1967
| allblackno = 627
⚫
| repteam1 = {{nrut|New Zealand}}
⚫
| ru_position = [[Flanker (rugby union)|Flanker]]
⚫
| repcaps1 = 14
⚫
| repyears1 = 1962–1967
| reppoints1 = 12<ref name="ESPN bio"/>
⚫
| repteam1 = {{nrut|New Zealand}}
⚫
| ru_province = {{rut|Auckland}}
⚫
| repcaps1 = 14
⚫
| ru_provinceyears = 1959–1967
| reppoints1 =12
⚫
| ru_provincecaps = 88
⚫
| ru_province = {{rut Auckland}}
⚫
| ru_provincepoints = (51)<ref name="RNZ obit"/>
⚫
| ru_provinceyears = 1959–1967
⚫
| school = [[Otahuhu College]]
⚫
| ru_provincecaps = 88
⚫
| ru_provincepoints = (51)
⚫
| school = [[Otahuhu College]]
}}
}}
⚫
'''Waka Joseph Nathan''' (8 July 1940 – 24 September 2021) was a New Zealand [[rugby union]] player who played rugby union for the [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand national team]] (the "All Blacks") as a [[Flanker (rugby union)|flanker]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Phil Gifford: The most influential Māori rugby figure of all time|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/phil-gifford-the-most-influential-maori-rugby-figure-of-all-time/37X73DAJGGAHWC5HTZD62JHGNI/|access-date=24 September 2021|website=NZ Herald|language=en-NZ}}</ref> His feats on the field gained him the nickname "The Black Panther".<ref name="NZH obit">{{cite news|title=Rugby: Waka Nathan, former All Black and Auckland Rugby legend, dies aged 81|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-waka-nathan-former-all-black-and-auckland-rugby-legend-dies-aged-81/RIWC7AL4RC3DUFU4QEOESVDTSI/|date=23 September 2021|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref>


==Early life==
⚫
'''Waka Joseph Nathan''' (8 July 1940 – 24 September 2021) was New Zealand [[rugby union]] player who played rugby union for the New Zealand national team the "All Blacks" as a [[Flanker (rugby union)|flanker]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Phil Gifford: The most influential Māori rugby figure of all time|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/phil-gifford-the-most-influential-maori-rugby-figure-of-all-time/37X73DAJGGAHWC5HTZD62JHGNI/|access-date=24 September 2021|website=NZ Herald|language=en-NZ}}</ref> His fearless feats on the field earned him the nickname "The Black Panther".
⚫
Nathan was born in [[Auckland]] on 8 July 1940.<ref name="ESPN bio">{{cite news|title=Waka Nathan – Rugby Union: Players and Officials|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/player/6689.html|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|work=ESPN Scrum|access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="NZH death notice">{{cite news|title=Waka Nathan death notice|url=https://notices.nzherald.co.nz/obituaries/nzherald-nz/obituary.aspx?n=waka-joseph-nathan&pid=200234548|date=27 September 2021|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald|access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref> He was one of nine children of Samuel Taia Nathan and Irene Huakore (née Randall). He attended Mangere Central Primary School and [[Otahuhu College]].<ref name=maorisports>{{cite web |url= https://maorisportsawards.co.nz/waka-nathan/ |title=Waka Joseph Nathan |publisher=Māori Sports Awards |access-date=24 September 2021}}</ref> Nathan's [[whakapapa]] included [[Ngāpuhi]], [[Te Roroa]] and [[Waikato Tainui]].<ref name="Stuff obit">{{cite news|title=Former All Blacks flanker Waka Nathan dies, aged 81|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300415067/former-all-blacks-flanker-waka-nathan-dies-aged-81|date=24 September 2021|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref>


Nathan first played rugby as a child for his primary school and secondary school. He played a notable match against [[Western Springs College|Seddon Memorial Technical College]] during a curtain raiser to the 1956 Test match between New Zealand and Australia at [[Eden Park]], together with his friend [[Mack Herewini]].<ref name=maorisports/> Otahuhu College then won the Auckland Schoolboys' competition the following year. Nathan went on to play for the [[Otahuhu Rugby Club]].<ref name="Stuff obit"/>
== Biography ==


==Rugby union career==
⚫
Nathan was born in [[Auckland]], the son of Samuel Taia Nathan and Irene Huakore (née Randall). He attended [[Mangere Central Primary School]] and [[Otahuhu College]].<ref name=maorisports>{{cite web |url= https://maorisportsawards.co.nz/waka-nathan/ |title=Waka Joseph Nathan |publisher=Māori Sports Awards |access-date=24 September 2021}}</ref> Nathan's [[whakapapa]] included [[Ngāpuhi]], [[Te Roroa]] and [[Waikato Tainui]].<ref name="StuffObituary">{{Cite web|title=Former All Blacks flanker Waka Nathan dies, aged 81|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300415067/former-all-blacks-flanker-waka-nathan-dies-aged-81|date=24 September 2021|access-date=27 September 2021|website=Stuff|language=en-NZ}}</ref>
Nathan played as an [[Auckland Rugby Union]] representative, making his debut in 1959 before the age of 19.<ref>{{cite news |title=Waka Nathan made life member|url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/waka-nathan-made-life-member/|date=18 April 2018|access-date=28 September 2021|publisher=[[New Zealand Rugby]]}}</ref> He ultimately made 88 appearances and scored 51 points.<ref name="RNZ obit">{{cite news|title=Waka Nathan dies, aged 81|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/452209/waka-nathan-dies-aged-81|date=24 September 2021|access-date=28 September 2021|publisher=Radio New Zealand}}</ref> He notably scored a last-minute try against Canterbury, enabling his teammate [[Mike Cormack]] to score the [[Try (rugby)#Conversion|conversion]] and seal a 19–18 victory that saw Auckland successfully defending the [[Ranfurly Shield]] in 1960.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nathan vividly recalls match-winning try|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/nathan-vividly-recalls-match-winning-try/FBEBCXBY7JA6ZAN7UFFCOBFKZE/|first=Chris|last=Rattue|date=12 October 2001|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928105638/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/nathan-vividly-recalls-match-winning-try/FBEBCXBY7JA6ZAN7UFFCOBFKZE/|archive-date=28 September 2021}}</ref>


Nathan debuted for the [[Māori All Blacks|New Zealand Māori]] in 1960 and played six years with the team. He also played for the [[All Blacks]] from 1962 to 1967 as a breakaway. During his All Blacks career, he was on tour to Australia, the British Isles and France. Nathan had several strong performances at the start of the [[1963–64 New Zealand rugby union tour of Britain, Ireland, France and North America|1963–64 tour]], before missing six games with a broken finger.<ref name="NZ Rugby obit">{{cite news|title=All Blacks great Waka Nathan passes away|url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/all-blacks-great-waka-nathan-passes-away/|date=24 September 2021|access-date=28 September 2021|publisher=[[New Zealand Rugby]]}}</ref> He then sustained a broken jaw against [[Llanelli RFC|Llanelli]] and was informed that the injury would keep him sidelined for six months.<ref name="NZ Rugby obit"/> He nonetheless scored 11 tries in 15 matches on that tour, the third-most among his teammates.<ref name="ESPN bio"/> He was given the nickname ''Le Panthère Noir'' ("the Black Panther") by the rugby reporter of a French newspaper, who was impressed by Nathan's ability to pursue opponents on the field like the animal.<ref name="Stuff obit"/> Nathan was conferred the [[Tom French Cup]] as [[Māori people|Māori]] player of the year in 1962 and 1966.<ref name="RNZ obit"/><ref name="NZ Rugby obit"/>
He first played rugby as a child, for his primary school and secondary school. It was while playing for the Otahuhu College 1st XV that Waka came to prominence, along with his long-time friend [[Mack Herewini]], when they played an outstanding match against [[Seddon Tech]] during a curtain raiser to the 1956 Springboks versus All Blacks Test match at Eden Park. The following year Otahuhu College won the Auckland Schoolboys competition. Nathan went on to play for the [[Otahuhu Rugby Club]].


Injuries – including another broken jaw during the [[1967 New Zealand rugby union tour of Britain, France and Canada|1967 tour in Britain]]<ref name="ESPN bio"/> – reduced Nathan to playing 14 tests for New Zealand with 14 wins with the team. He finished his test career unbeaten with 23 tries.<ref name="RNZ obit"/><ref name="Reuters obit">{{cite news|title=Former All Blacks loose forward Nathan dies aged 81|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/former-all-blacks-loose-forward-nathan-dies-aged-81-2021-09-24/|date=24 September 2021|access-date=28 September 2021|work=Reuters}}</ref> He was described by [[Colin Meads]] as "the most virile runner with the ball in hand".<ref name="NZH obit"/>
He played as an [[Auckland Rugby Union]] representative, making his debut at the age of 19. He made 88 appearances and scored 51 points. He is well remembered for scoring a last-minute try against Canterbury to set up his teammate [[Mike Cormack]] to convert the try and retain the [[Ranfurly Shield]] in a game that finished 19-18 in 1960. The Auckland Rugby Union pre-season club cup is named in Nathan's honour.


==Post-playing career==
Waka went on to debut for the [[Māori All Blacks|New Zealand Māori]] in the same year appearing for the team until 1966. He first played for the New Zealand Māori and then the [[All Blacks]] from 1962 to 1967, as a breakaway. During his All Blacks career, he was on tour to Australia, the British Isles and France. Despite having a broken jaw, he scored 11 tries in 15 matches on that tour.
⚫
After his retirement from playing, Nathan was a selector and manager of the New Zealand Māori from 1971 to 1977.<ref name="Stuff obit"/> He also managed the New Zealand Māori on their [[1982 New Zealand Māori rugby union tour of Wales and Spain|tour of Wales and Spain in 1982]].<ref name="NZ Rugby obit"/> He was later chosen by New Zealand Rugby to jog onto the field and open the proceedings for the first [[1987 Rugby World Cup|Rugby World Cup in 1987]].<ref name="NZH obit"/>


Nathan was a life member of Auckland Rugby and the Otahuhu Rugby Club.<ref name="RNZ obit"/> He briefly served as President of the Auckland Rugby Union from 2003 to 2004,<ref name="NZ Rugby obit"/> before becoming Patron of the Auckland Rugby Board.<ref name="RNZ obit"/> Auckland Rugby also established the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup, in recognition of Nathan's efforts to the union as a player and administrator.<ref>{{cite news|title=Former All Black Waka Nathan dies aged 81|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/former-all-black-waka-nathan-dies-aged-81|date=24 September 2021|newspaper=Otago Daily Times|location=Dunedin|access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref> The competition is played between local premier club rugby teams.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pre-season kicks off with Waka Nathan Challenge Cup|url=https://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/46386|access-date=28 September 2021|publisher=Auckland Rugby Union}}</ref>
Injury reduced the world-class flanker to play 14 tests for the All Blacks with 14 wins in the black jersey, finishing his test career unbeaten with 23 tries. The late Sir [[Colin Meads]] described Waka as “the most virile runner with the ball in hand”.


==Personal life==
⚫
After his retirement from playing, he had been a selector and manager of the New Zealand Māori between 1971-77,<ref name="StuffObituary"/> and managed the New Zealand Māori on their [[1982 New Zealand Māori rugby union tour of Wales and Spain|tour of Wales in 1982]].
Nathan was married to Janis for 56 years until his death.<ref name="NZH death notice"/><ref name=Cleaver>{{cite news|title=Rugby and dementia: All Black legend Waka Nathan reveals his battle|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-and-dementia-all-black-legend-waka-nathan-reveals-his-battle/ZLMF7BCX5ADCOWQCFI5HUVTGZQ/|first=Dylan|last=Cleaver|date=19 March 2016|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924222707/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-and-dementia-all-black-legend-waka-nathan-reveals-his-battle/ZLMF7BCX5ADCOWQCFI5HUVTGZQ/|archive-date=24 September 2021}}</ref> Together, they had three children: Alana, Claudine, and Janine.<ref name="NZH death notice"/>


Nathan died on 24 September 2021 in Auckland. He was 81, and suffered from [[dementia]] in the years leading up to his death.<ref name="Stuff obit"/><ref name="NZH obit"/> He first exhibited symptoms of the disease after the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]] and underwent surgery to correct displaced [[vertebra]]e in order to reduce pressure to the lower part of his head.<ref name=Cleaver/>
Waka was given the honour from New Zealand Rugby to run onto the field and start the proceedings for the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.

The Otahuhu Life Member was elected President of the Auckland Rugby Union in 2003 later moving to Patron of the Auckland Rugby Board.

Waka was honoured by Auckland Rugby for his commitment and devotion to the union as a player and administrator with the creation of the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup which Auckland Rugby’s premier club teams compete for.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}


⚫
== External links ==
<references />

⚫
== External links ==

* {{All Blacks|648}}
* {{All Blacks|648}}


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[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Auckland rugby union players]]
[[Category:Auckland rugby union players]]
[[Category:New Zealand international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Deaths from dementia in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Māori All Blacks players]]
[[Category:Māori All Blacks players]]
[[Category:Ngāpuhi]]
[[Category:New Zealand international rugby union players]]
[[Category:People educated at Otahuhu College]]
[[Category:People educated at Otahuhu College]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Auckland]]
[[Category:Rugby union flankers]]
[[Category:Rugby union flankers]]
[[Category:Te Roroa]]
[[Category:Ngāpuhi people]]
[[Category:People from Auckland]]
[[Category:Te Roroa people]]
[[Category:Waikato Tainui]
[[Category:Waikato Tainui people]]
[[Category:New Zealand rugby union players]]

Latest revision as of 05:15, 6 May 2024

Waka Nathan
Nathan, c. 1961
Date of birth(1940-07-08)8 July 1940
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Date of death24 September 2021(2021-09-24) (aged 81)
Place of deathHowick, Auckland, New Zealand
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight92 kg (203 lb)
SchoolOtahuhu College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1959–1967 Auckland 88 (51)[1]
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1962–1967 New Zealand 14 (12[2])

Waka Joseph Nathan (8 July 1940 – 24 September 2021) was a New Zealand rugby union player who played rugby union for the New Zealand national team (the "All Blacks") as a flanker.[3] His feats on the field gained him the nickname "The Black Panther".[4]

Early life

[edit]

Nathan was born in Auckland on 8 July 1940.[2][5] He was one of nine children of Samuel Taia Nathan and Irene Huakore (née Randall). He attended Mangere Central Primary School and Otahuhu College.[6] Nathan's whakapapa included Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa and Waikato Tainui.[7]

Nathan first played rugby as a child for his primary school and secondary school. He played a notable match against Seddon Memorial Technical College during a curtain raiser to the 1956 Test match between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park, together with his friend Mack Herewini.[6] Otahuhu College then won the Auckland Schoolboys' competition the following year. Nathan went on to play for the Otahuhu Rugby Club.[7]

Rugby union career

[edit]

Nathan played as an Auckland Rugby Union representative, making his debut in 1959 before the age of 19.[8] He ultimately made 88 appearances and scored 51 points.[1] He notably scored a last-minute try against Canterbury, enabling his teammate Mike Cormack to score the conversion and seal a 19–18 victory that saw Auckland successfully defending the Ranfurly Shield in 1960.[9]

Nathan debuted for the New Zealand Māori in 1960 and played six years with the team. He also played for the All Blacks from 1962 to 1967 as a breakaway. During his All Blacks career, he was on tour to Australia, the British Isles and France. Nathan had several strong performances at the start of the 1963–64 tour, before missing six games with a broken finger.[10] He then sustained a broken jaw against Llanelli and was informed that the injury would keep him sidelined for six months.[10] He nonetheless scored 11 tries in 15 matches on that tour, the third-most among his teammates.[2] He was given the nickname Le Panthère Noir ("the Black Panther") by the rugby reporter of a French newspaper, who was impressed by Nathan's ability to pursue opponents on the field like the animal.[7] Nathan was conferred the Tom French Cup as Māori player of the year in 1962 and 1966.[1][10]

Injuries – including another broken jaw during the 1967 tour in Britain[2] – reduced Nathan to playing 14 tests for New Zealand with 14 wins with the team. He finished his test career unbeaten with 23 tries.[1][11] He was described by Colin Meads as "the most virile runner with the ball in hand".[4]

Post-playing career

[edit]

After his retirement from playing, Nathan was a selector and manager of the New Zealand Māori from 1971 to 1977.[7] He also managed the New Zealand Māori on their tour of Wales and Spain in 1982.[10] He was later chosen by New Zealand Rugby to jog onto the field and open the proceedings for the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.[4]

Nathan was a life member of Auckland Rugby and the Otahuhu Rugby Club.[1] He briefly served as President of the Auckland Rugby Union from 2003 to 2004,[10] before becoming Patron of the Auckland Rugby Board.[1] Auckland Rugby also established the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup, in recognition of Nathan's efforts to the union as a player and administrator.[12] The competition is played between local premier club rugby teams.[13]

Personal life

[edit]

Nathan was married to Janis for 56 years until his death.[5][14] Together, they had three children: Alana, Claudine, and Janine.[5]

Nathan died on 24 September 2021 in Auckland. He was 81, and suffered from dementia in the years leading up to his death.[7][4] He first exhibited symptoms of the disease after the 2011 Rugby World Cup and underwent surgery to correct displaced vertebrae in order to reduce pressure to the lower part of his head.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "Waka Nathan dies, aged 81". Radio New Zealand. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Waka Nathan – Rugby Union: Players and Officials". ESPN Scrum. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Phil Gifford: The most influential Māori rugby figure of all time". NZ Herald. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "Rugby: Waka Nathan, former All Black and Auckland Rugby legend, dies aged 81". The New Zealand Herald. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Waka Nathan death notice". The New Zealand Herald. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Waka Joseph Nathan". Māori Sports Awards. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Former All Blacks flanker Waka Nathan dies, aged 81". Stuff. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Waka Nathan made life member". New Zealand Rugby. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  9. ^ Rattue, Chris (12 October 2001). "Nathan vividly recalls match-winning try". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d e "All Blacks great Waka Nathan passes away". New Zealand Rugby. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Former All Blacks loose forward Nathan dies aged 81". Reuters. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Former All Black Waka Nathan dies aged 81". Otago Daily Times. Dunedin. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Pre-season kicks off with Waka Nathan Challenge Cup". Auckland Rugby Union. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  14. ^ a b Cleaver, Dylan (19 March 2016). "Rugby and dementia: All Black legend Waka Nathan reveals his battle". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
[edit]
Awards
Preceded by Tom French Memorial
Māori rugby union player of the year
1962
1966 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Succeeded by
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