New Zealand legend Simpson dies

JOHNNY SIMPSON, a rugged, athletic prop in the late 1940s All Blacks rugby sides, has died in Wellington. He was 88.

Rotorua-born John George Simpson was a member of the famed Kiwi army side that toured Britain and France at the end of World War II. He played in 18 of the 33 matches, including the internationals against England, Wales and Scotland which they won, though they were not recognised as tests.

He made his All Black debut on the Australian tour of 1947 and was an obvious choice for the tour of South Africa in 1949. Although New Zealand lost the series 4-0, the front row of Simpson, Kevin Skinner and hooker Has Catley excelled in the scrums, with the athletic Simpson earning the nickname “Iron Man”.