Obituary: Charlie Saxton

All Black player and manager. Died aged 88.

Charlie Saxton did not die a millionaire, but he did leave thousands of friends throughout the rugby world.

One of New Zealand's best-loved rugby legends, he died in Dunedin on Wednesday from complications brought about by emphysema.

He played seven matches for the All Blacks, including three tests, in 1938.

His career was blighted by the outbreak of the Second World War, immediately after which he joined the Kiwis (2nd NZEF team) on their historic tour of Britain and France, where he played in 21 games, including five internationals.

His first-class career encompassed 64 games, during which he played for three provinces: Southland, Otago and South Canterbury.

A life member of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) and Otago Rugby Football Union, Saxton's administrative career included coaching Otago from 1950-56, being president of the NZRFU in 1974, a council member from 1956-71 and a term as All Black manager for their tour to Britain and France in 1967.

In his other sporting love, cricket, he represented Otago as an opening batsman between 1934 and 1938.

The 1967 unbeaten tour of Britain and France, led by Saxton as manager, Fred Allen as coach and Brian Lochore as captain, is still regarded as one of the All Blacks' most successful and popular expeditions abroad.

"Charlie was a wonderful little man, an outstanding person. He was a credit to New Zealand - as a man, in the war and in football," Allen said. "It was lovely having him with us as manager. The team thought the world of him, but I think everyone thought the world of Charlie."

Saxton's finest qualities as a rugby player, his courage and ability to lead by example, were features of his career as a soldier and he rose to the rank of Major with the 19th Armoured Regiment.

On the day Germany surrendered, Major Saxton was at Trieste in Italy, but there was no quick reunion with loved ones back in New Zealand for him. Charlie was chosen to captain and coach the 2nd NZEF team to tour Britain and France.

Many believe that tour was his greatest achievement. He played in all five "tests" - the only loss was to Scotland.

The Kiwis won 32, drew three and lost three of their 38 games, but it was the style of rugby they played - Saxton practising the gospel he preached of possession, position and pace - which struck a chord in post-war Europe.

He was regarded as a master of man management. He chose his words carefully, but any player who received a bollocking from Saxton remembered it.

"When you got a barrage from Charlie, you knew you'd had one," Colin Meads recalled.

"It only happened once or twice on the whole tour (1967), and that was because the guys held him in such respect. Whenever he spoke the guys listened."

For much of his working life Saxton ran his own menswear shop in Dunedin.

A special service for Saxton will be held at Carisbrook on Monday. He is survived by his wife, Alison, son Bill and daughter Rosalind.

- NZPA