Brian Fitzpatrick, All Black. Died aged 75.
Rugby lost some of its charm, much of its character and a lorry-load of its mischief with the death of Brian Fitzpatrick, 75, last Monday.
As a 19-year-old and blessed with speed and spirit, Fitzpatrick bounded from his Gisborne High School team
to Poverty Bay and then trial sides like a frisky colt.
It was this talent, and his fellowship with Ron Jarden, Jim Fitzgerald and Bill Clark of a famous Victoria University club side, that lifted Fitzpatrick into the 1951 tour to Australia and then the expedition to Britain, France and North America in 1953-54. His 22 matches as an All Black included three tests against Wales, Ireland and France.
Fitzpatrick's good humour was strained by injuries, the fact that Laurie Haig and Guy Bowers had dibs on the first five-eighths position and that he had to turn out at second five-eighths mid-week..
After 11 matches for Wellington in 1952-53, including a winning Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato, Fitzpatrick moved to Auckland for the 1954 season. His sparkling and irreverent nature was encouraged, even if his advice to young backs was more "go for it, son" rather than "follow me".
But, with Irish mischief in his blood (and good friends in high New Zealand University places) Fitzpatrick wangled his way into first five-eighths in the NZU team that played the 1956 Springboks at Athletic Park, defeating them 22-15.
The first time Peewee Howe, the Springboks' first five-eighths, got the ball he cut inside Fitzpatrick. Here was Fitzpatrick's last chance on the big rugby stage and he made the most of it. He had a word with his lineout tail-gunner, Bill Clark, and left the inside gap open. Howe took the bait again and again, and Clark cut the Springbok backline out of contention.
Years later, Fitzpatrick said he took some pride in that classic NZU victory and its fittingly dramatic finale to his diverting times on the rugby stage, calling it the easiest game he ever played in.
He is survived by his wife, Louise, and children Julie, Mark, Anna and former All Black hooker and captain Sean.
