Pinetree the person

Sir Colin Meads pictured in front the statue of him that was unveiled in Te Kuiti in June. It was his last public appearance before his death.

Veteran sports broadcaster Eugene Crotty served as Whanganui's rugby commentator from 1963-1975 while at Station 2ZW. In this role he had the great privilege to interview All Black legend Sir Colin Meads on several occasions.

As Sir Colin was laid to rest in his beloved Te Kuiti on Monday, Crotty has penned some of his recollections of the great man, including a story only himself, long-serving coach J.J Stewart and former referee Merv Paul have likely known the full background until now.

Few New Zealand sportsmen or sportswomen would have been the focus of the local, national or international tributes made on the passing of Sir Colin Meads.

Colin (which was his naming preference) had a close relationship with Wanganui rugby over many years.

He often led King Country in matches against the local representative side and he wore the Wanganui jersey four times against visiting international sides when the two unions combined to face touring teams on Spriggen's Park-in 1956 and 1965 against the Springboks and 1966 and 1971 against the British & Irish Lions.

He also came to Cooks Gardens several times to present the Meads Cup when Wanganui was successful in the Heartland Championship and was a keynote speaker at the WRFU's centenary and 125th jubilee celebrations.

Colin's prowess as a rugby player is carved into New Zealand rugby lore, and his off-the-field services to the game and to the community were legion.

His honours were richly deserved.

On the field at all levels of the game he was a 'marked man' as coaches and players in opposition sides sought to contain his influence.

As he once said to me, "if I am a sinner [in a rugby context] then I can assure you I have regularly been sinned against".

Some players plucked up enough courage to "have a shot at Pinetree".

Usually they got a warning, if they were lucky, and then he sorted the miscreants out.

One of his wiliest opponents was J.J Stewart, long time coach of Taranaki, Wanganui and the All Blacks.

Many a Taranaki forward reeled out from a lineout shouting to all and sundry about "that b........ Meads" and hopefully milking a penalty from the referee.

And J.J had some satisfaction too as the Wanganui coach against King Country on June 6, 1970.

As local commentator, I had been in both team dressing rooms checking players numbers.

As J.J finished his message to the Wanganui squad he turned to me and said, "let's go and wish the referee all the best for his first provincial match".

We walked to the room where local referee Merv Paul was all kitted out in his whites.

A brief exchange of pleasantries ensued about the weather, the state of the ground and the expectations of a sizeable crowd.

Then J.J walked to the door to take his leave. He paused before stepping out, turned and looked at the referee.

"You'll do alright if you don't let Colin run the game for you," he said.

About a minute into the first half, Wanganui was awarded a penalty just on halfway and wide out.

Meads, as King Country captain, approached the referee to question his decision.

Possibly Merv Paul still had J.J Stewart's remarks ringing in his ears, for he marched Meads back a good ten metres.

The new position of the penalty enabled Wanganui stalwart, Bob Barrell, to kick a fine goal.

And Wanganui never looked back, running out winners 16-9.

Records show this was the only match Colin Meads played for King Country that season, as the 1970 All Blacks tour of South Africa started a few weeks later.

Just over a month ago I met Sir Colin and Lady Verna in the cancer block of Waikato Hospital.

They were waiting to head back "home" to Te Kuiti.

Clearly Colin was not well but there was still fire in his eyes.

I had a brief chat with him about the 1970 match, J.J Stewart and the game on Spriggens Park.

He just chuckled and said, "that's rugby".