John Dick, the 89-year-old former All Black and Auckland player who died yesterday after a long illness, had the reputation of being a quiet, even humble, speedster on the wing - but achieved special fame as a brief benefactor of people power.
Dick won a place in the 1937All Blacks after scoring six tries in a trial, and was an automatic choice for the 1938 tour to Australia.
After selection he caught measles and his place was taken by Alan Wright. In a spontaneous and rare gesture in those days, Dick's legion of Auckland supporters demanded he join the tour when fit.
When the New Zealand Rugby Football Union did not immediately send Dick to rejoin the All Blacks, the Aucklanders paid his fare and he reached Australia in time to play in three games, including the third test.
It was his third and last test.
Dick's career was seriously affected by Air Force duties in World War II, but he did manage to add a South Island cap in 1943 to the North Island honours he had won in 1936 and 1938.
After the war Dick was a diligent Grafton delegate on the Auckland Rugby Union management committee, about the time his son Malcolm was building a brilliant Auckland and All Black career in the 1960s.
John Dick is survived by his wife Alma, children Malcolm and Joyce, seven grand-children and five great-grandchildren.
