Waka Nathan
 Nathan, c. 1961 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 8 July 1940 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 24 September 2021 (aged 81) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Howick, Auckland, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 92 kg (203 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Otahuhu College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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.[3] His feats on the field earned him the nickname "The Black Panther".[4]
Early life
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 Tech 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]
Professional career
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 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.[9]
Waka went on to debut for the 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. In spite of a broken jaw, he scored 11 tries in 15 matches on that tour.[2][4]
Injuries reduced Nathan to play 14 tests for the All Blacks with 14 wins in the black jersey, finishing his test career unbeaten with 23 tries.[1][10] He was described by Colin Meads as “the most virile runner with the ball in hand”.[4]
Post-playing career
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.[11] 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,[11] 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
Nathan was married to Janis until his death. 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]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Waka Nathan dies, aged 81". Radio New Zealand. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ a b c "Waka Nathan – Rugby Union: Players and Officials". ESPN Scrum. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ "Phil Gifford: The most influential Māori rugby figure of all time". NZ Herald. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Rugby: Waka Nathan, former All Black and Auckland Rugby legend, dies aged 81". The New Zealand Herald. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Waka Nathan death notice". The New Zealand Herald. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Waka Joseph Nathan". Māori Sports Awards. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Former All Blacks flanker Waka Nathan dies, aged 81". Stuff. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
- ^ "Waka Nathan made life member". New Zealand Rugby. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Former All Blacks loose forward Nathan dies aged 81". Reuters. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ a b "All Blacks great Waka Nathan passes away". New Zealand Rugby. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ "Former All Black Waka Nathan dies aged 81". Otago Daily Times. Dunedin. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ "Pre-season kicks off with Waka Nathan Challenge Cup". Auckland Rugby Union. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
External links
- Waka Nathan at the All Blacks (archived)