Vincent Bevan

Vince Bevan

Full name	Vincent David Bevan
Date of birth	24 December 1921
Place of birth	Wellington, New Zealand
Date of death	26 May 1996 (aged 74)
Place of death	Wellington, New Zealand
Height	1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Weight	72 kg (159 lb)
School	Otaki Convent School
Notable relative(s)	Moray Bevan (brother) Keith Davis (cousin) Tamati Ellison (grandson) Jacob Ellison (grandson)
Occupation(s)	Taxi proprietor[1]
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Halfback
New Zealand No.	479
Provincial/State sides
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
1943–54	Wellington	70
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
1947–54	New Zealand	6	(0)

Vincent David Bevan (24 December 1921 – 26 May 1996) was a New Zealand rugby union player.

Background

A halfback, who played for Wellington College Old Boys before being selected by the former All Black Alex McDonald to represent Wellington at a provincial level, Bevan was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1947 to 1954. He was a member of the 1953-54 New Zealand rugby union tour of Britain, Ireland, France and North America and played 25 matches for the All Blacks including six internationals.^[2]

Playing style

McDonald had originally been impressed by Bevan's strength, quickness, length of pass and hard-nosed application and was part of the selection panel that sent Bevan to Australia as an All Black in 1947.^[3]

Bevan played in all four tests against the 1950 Lions. In the third test at Wellington, Bevan played behind an All Black pack of six, which was shredded by injury and the no-replacement law of the day. Bevan scolded, spurred and cajoled the pack and showed a perception of pressure points, breadth and alacrity of clearance and physical toughness that were telling factors in transforming a mission impossible into a day of glory for New Zealand rugby.^[4]

Bevan based his passing game on his swiftness to retrieve ball hooked at high velocity and on a swivelling dive-pass that foiled marauders and spoilers. ^[5] He was quick to respond to physical affront, real or imagined, and employed a devastating hip-throw that felled and humiliated many unsuspecting locks and props steamrolling with belligerent intent through the lineout.^[6]

References

1. Porirua electoral district composite roll. Porirua: Registrar of Electors. 1981. p. 7.
2. Knight, Lindsay. "Vince Bevan". New Zealand Rugby Museum. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
3. Versey, A., Gritty All Black never did things by halves. Sunday Star Times 2 June 1996, p. A9.
4. Supra at note 3.
5. Supra at note 3.
6. Supra at note 3.