By DJ CAMERON
* Eric Boggs, rugby player and administrator. Died aged 82.
Eric Boggs carved himself a memorial in family life, sport and school-teaching.
He was a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He played rugby for the All Blacks, Kiwi Army and Auckland, going on to become an Auckland rugby life member, selector-coach and committee man.
Boggs was also an Auckland hockey player, occasional club cricketer and a teacher and headmaster of several intermediate and primary schools.
Along the way he collected the Gallaher Shield for the Ponsonby club, inspired Auckland to a Ranfurly Shield win, and was chuffed with his Queens Service Medal for outstanding community service.
But Boggs took particular pride in two events. One Saturday he made sure that the two Williams brothers, Ken and Ces, in his Ponsonby seniors team persuaded their young brother, Bryan, who was in the Mt Albert Grammar 1st XV, to bring his boots to a senior game.
So was born the magnificent career of Bee-gee Williams.
A generation later, Boggs jumped at the chance when John Hart, the new Auckland selector-coach, wanted someone to check the form of a Marist third-grade teenager. So began the career of John Kirwan, who may well challenge Bryan Williams as the best winger we have had.
Boggs had a great eye for talent; a passion for other players' success. He also liked the chance to have a beer and yarn with mates.
<i>Obituary:</i> Eric Boggs
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