Fred Allen kept All Blacks on their toes

Sir Fred Allen at home in Auckland. Photo / Doug Sherring

All Black legend Sir Colin Meads last night paid tribute to his great friend and former coach Sir Fred Allen, who died early yesterday, aged 92.

Meads played under Allen with the All Blacks from 1966-68.

He said he will "deeply" miss his old mate and colleague, who he described as one of rugby's great motivators.

"Fred was second to none and he had all sorts of tricks to do that," Meads said. "He was never afraid to give the experienced All Blacks a showing-up in front of the younger guys just to keep you on your toes.

"A favourite [tactic] of Fred's was to read out telegrams in the dressing room before matches which he said came from supporters and that said things like: 'Meads is over the hill' and 'Meads has been there for too long'.

"He would do that to get you fired up and also show the youngsters that no one was above criticism. But of course he would have composed the telegrams himself."

Meads last spoke to Allen a few weeks ago but had no idea he had been so ill, because it was never mentioned.

"One of the last times I saw Fred was when I was sitting beside him at the Rugby World Cup final last year," Meads said. "He could hardly watch the last 10 minutes and kept muttering to himself that we weren't going to win. But that was typical of Fred. He was passionate about the All Blacks to the end." Allen was a hero to generations.

Former All Blacks skipper Sir Brian Lochore said Allen was one of the biggest influences on his career. "I grew up with his pictures on my bedroom wall and was amazed when I later not only played for him, but out of the blue he made me his captain."