Colourful AB winger one of fastest

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: All Black and former Wanganui rep Peter Henderson has passed away at his home in Bay of Plenty. PHOTO/FILE A-110506NZHAGHENDERSON02

Wanganui has lost its oldest surviving All Black with the death of 88-year-old Peter "Sammy" Henderson in the Bay of Plenty.

Henderson, who later had a distinguished career in English rugby league, was one of New Zealand's fastest All Blacks, having won the national 100 yards title in 1948 and 1949 and winning a bronze medal in the 4x110 yards relay at the 1950 Empire Games in Auckland.

He was born in Gisborne, made his first-class rugby debut for Hawke's Bay in 1944 and came to Wanganui as a dental technician, playing 46 games for Wanganui between 1946 and 1950, including in the 20-3 loss to Otago in a 1948 Ranfurly Shield challenge at Carisbrook.

The pacy winger, who had a fastest 100 yards time of 9.7sec, was the leading try scorer for the All Blacks in South Africa in 1949, scoring seven tries for a team that also included Wanganui five eighths Keith Gudsell. NZ lost all four tests under skipper Fred Allen.

Henderson played three tests against the touring British Isles side in 1950 and also played for Wanganui in a 31-3 loss to the Lions.

He played 19 times for New Zealand including seven tests, scoring a try on his test debut.

He lost his job while playing in South Africa and accepted an invitation in 1950 to play professional league in England, scoring an impressive 633 points including 211 tries in 250 matches for Huddersfield between 1950 and 1957.

Huddersfield were one of three English clubs chasing the "flying Kiwi winger."

One of those games was a Challenge Cup final before 92,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.

Henderson earned 5500 plus an annual payment of 1500 while with Huddersfield. He purchased a 1500 three bed-room house while in England.

Ironically Henderson was banned from rugby when he switched to league with Ces Blazey, national chairman in both rugby and athletics, a major force in the ban.

He claimed, for example, that Henderson had received a payment of seven shillings and six pence for winning a sprint race at Otaki.

The Wanganui athlete denied the payment.

The ban from rugby was to last for 38-and-a-half years with Henderson finally reinstated after numerous requests to be cleared so he could coach junior teams.

It was while playing for Kaierau between 1946 and 1950 that he starred in track and field at Cooks Gardens.

He had also been a talented rower.

The nickname of "Sammy" was given to him by a fellow 1949 All Black team member because of his tendency for diving when he scored tries. American Sammy Lee was a famous springboard diver at the time.

NZRU president Ian MacRae said: "I am sure that in coming days Peter will be fondly remembered across New Zealand, in particular Hawke's Bay and Wanganui rugby communities, for his performances for the All Blacks.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

"He was a handy player with incredible speed and a great tackle as well as being a good man and a very proud All Black."

Peter Henderson met up with many of his old friends when he attended the Wanganui RFU's 125th jubilee in 2012.

For more than 16 years he organised a bowls tournament for former rugby players, referees and officials at Mt Maunganui with bowlers from all over New Zealand, including Wanganui, competing

His funeral service will be held at Olive Grove Cottage, Tauranga, at 2pm tomorrow. He is survived by his son Ian.