Johnny Simpson, a rugged, athletic prop in the late 1940s All Blacks rugby sides, has died in Wellington. He was 88.
Rotorua-born John George Simpson was a member of the famed Kiwi army side that toured Britain and France at the end of World War 2.
He played in 18 of the 33 matches, including the internationals against England, Wales and Scotland which they won, though they were not recognised as tests.
He made his All Black debut on the Australian tour of 1947 and was an obvious choice for the tour of South Africa in 1949. Although New Zealand lost the series 4-0, the front row of Simpson, Kevin Skinner and hooker Has Catley excelled in the scrums, with the athletic Simpson impressing with his pace in the open.
He became known as the "Iron Man".
Simpson played in the first three home tests against the British Lions the following year, but suffered a serious knee injury in the third test which brought at end to his career, aged only 28. While he contemplated a comeback a few years later, he decided to put family interests first.
The great All Black fullback Bob Scott once said of Simpson: "I came to respect J G Simpson as the finest forward I ever played with. In Kiwi days he was still a bit raw and inclined to look for trouble, but with his great strength and determination he was obviously on his way".
Simpson played 30 matches for the All Blacks, including nine tests. He had limited representative chances for Auckland, playing only 21 games.
He made an impact on the coaching scene, helping Fred Allen with the 1957 Auckland side and having an influential role in their Ranfurly Shield sides from 1953 to 1963.
In 1964 Simpson became proprietor of the Paraparaumu Hotel and was a president of the Wellington Hotel Association.
He was an accomplished bowler, winning centre titles in both Kapiti and Wellington. He served on the New Zealand Bowls Association council and was its president in 1991-92.
Simpson is survived by his wife Iris and two sons and two daughters. His funeral will be held in Paraparaumu on Monday.
- NZPA
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