Kevin Stuart (rugby union)

Kevin Stuart
Full name Kevin Charles Stuart
Date of birth (1928-09-19)19 September 1928
Place of birth Dunedin, New Zealand
Date of death April 12, 2005(2005-04-12) (aged 76)
Place of death Havelock North, New Zealand
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 84 kg (13 st 3 lb)
School St Bede's College
Notable relative(s) Bob Stuart - brother
Jim Kearney - cousin
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Fullback
New Zealand No. 566
Amateur clubs
Years Club / team
Christchurch Marist
Provincial/State sides
Years Club / team Caps (points)
194856 Canterbury 79 383
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1955 New Zealand 1 (0)

Kevin Charles Stuart (19 September 1928[1][2] 12 April 2005) was a New Zealand rugby union player who represented the All Blacks in 1955. His position of choice was fullback.

Although born in Dunedin, Stuart was educated at St Bede's College, Christchurch where he was a member of the 1st XV between 1944 and 1946.[3]

He died in April 2005,[4] and was buried at Havelock North Cemetery.[5]

Career

Stuart was described as a "grand all-round fullback and a fearless tackler".[3]

Stuart was playing in his first season for the Christchurch Marist club when he made his debut for his province, Canterbury in 1948.[6]

He became very popular amongst the Canterbury supporters, mainly due to his defensive abilities.[6]

In 1950 Stuart played in his first All Black trial, failing to be selected. Subsequently he was overlooked in both 1951 and 1952.[3][6]

Although he continued to be a huge force in Canterbury's Ranfurly Shield reign from 1953 to 1956.[6]

Then in 1955, at the age of 26, Stuart was given his All Black opportunity in the first test against the Wallabies.[3] Considered an average performance in the 15-8 win, many still believed he would be selected again for the national side. Infact he was one of five players selected for player of the year for the 1955 season.[6]

Injuries prevented Stuart from playing at his full potential thereafter. He broke an arm in 1954 during a Ranfurly Shield match against Otago.[6]

In 1956 he faced severe shoulder problems and based on medical advice, Stuart retired that year.[3][6]

In his provincial career, Stuart played 79 games and scored 383 points. He scored 100 of those in 1951, a rare accomplishment in those days.[6]

Personal

Stuart was one of 13 foundation members of the Canterbury rugby club.[7]

Family

Stuart was part of a very notable family. His older brother, Bob, was an All Black between 1949 and 1954 and was captain of the side during 1953 and 1954. Another brother, John played for Canterbury in 1957. A cousin, Jim Kearney, was an All Black between 1947 and 1949.[3][6]

References

  1. "PECK of Taita - Family Tree". ngairedith.tribalpages.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  2. "the 1,109 New Zealand ALL BLACKS from 1884 - NATHAN to YOUNG :: FamilyTreeCircles.com Genealogy". www.familytreecircles.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Chester, Rod; McMillan, Neville; Palenski, Ron (1987). The Encyclopedia Of New Zealand Rugby. Auckland, New Zealand: Moa Publications. p. 158. ISBN 0-908570-16-3.
  4. "Kevin Stuart | Rugby Union | Players and Officials | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  5. "Details". cemeterybase.hdc.govt.nz. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Stats | allblacks.com". stats.allblacks.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  7. Club, Cantabrian Rugby Football. "Membership - Cantabrian Rugby Football Club". www.cantabrianrfc.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
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