True son of Wairarapa farewelled

TEAMMATE: Sir Brian Lochore bids farewell to Wairarapa-Bush rugby stalwart Ian Turley at yesterday's funeral service in Masterton. PHOTOS/ LYNDA FERING

Tribute paid to an 'all round good bloke'

A true son of Wairarapa whose strength on the rugby field and in the face of adversity became the stuff of legend was farewelled in Masterton Town Hall yesterday.

Ian Turley, 69 - known throughout the rugby fraternity by his nickname Turts - died last Monday, 19 years after having lung transplant operations as a result of contracting the rare disease anti-trypsin deficiency.

At his funeral service family and friends spoke of a man who was a tower of strength, loyal and tough. A man who would not back down on the field but who, off it, was a caring family man, a special grandfather and an excellent sheep and beef farmer.

Mr Turley was a specialist lock who was a staunch Red Star Club player. He represented Wairarapa-Bush on 147 occasions, was a junior All Black and was several times an All Black triallist. Although he is written into rugby folklore as the man who dished out a lesson to British Lions lock Nigel Horton, who had transgressed repeatedly during the 1977 Lions match against Wairarapa-Bush, Ian Turley was a man who played hard but clean.

Former Wairarapa-Bush senior coach Roddy McKenzie described him yesterday as a player "who never played dirty".

"He was a very good footballer, a very good farmer and great company."

Sir Brian Lochore said Mr Turley was his opposite number in club games but the pair locked together in the Wairarapa-Bush team. He said Mr Turley was very unlucky to miss out on All Blacks selection as he was "a tough man, very fit, rangy and didn't take a step backwards".

"He was also a very good team man and that was the most important thing as far as I am concerned."

Sir Brian said the fact Mr Turley had gained a lot of years after his very serious lung operation was a great credit to his family and friends.

Others who spoke at Mr Turley's farewell were his rugby mate Hona Hurawai, son-in-law David Bates, granddaughter Toni Bates, John Bunny who officiated at the service along with newly appointed pastor of the Catholic Parish in Wairarapa Father Bruce England and Mr Turley's sister Janet.