Rugby League: Farewell to one of Kiwis' best

Alister Atkinson, one of the finest New Zealand backrow forwards, has died in Christchurch, aged 77.

Fast enough to compete on the cash sprinting circuit of the time, and weighing about 82kg, Atkinson was a leading figure in the Kiwis' triumphs over the Kangaroos in 1952 and 1953.

The 1952 Kiwis recovered from a loss in the first test in Sydney to thrash Australia 49-25 in Brisbane, then win the series 19-9 back in four days later.

Atkinson was the top individual try-scorer on the 1952 tour, with 10 in his nine games, two of them in the test triumph in Brisbane.

There was a similar result when Australia toured New Zealand in 1953, with the Kiwis winning the first and second tests before narrowly losing the third.

A former Canterbury rugby union representative, Atkinson was a test reserve in his second league season (1950) before making his Kiwis debut at the age of 24 on the 1951-52 tour to Britain and France.

He went on to appear in a then record 23 consecutive tests, which also included the inaugural World Cup tournament in France in 1954, and home series against the 1954 Great Britain side and 1955 French team.

When he retired after the 1955-56 tour to Britain and France, Atkinson had played 24 tests and a total of 71 matches for the Kiwis. He scored 29 tries.

Atkinson served on the Canterbury Rugby League board of control from 1968 until 1976, retiring as chairman.

He was manager of the Kiwis in the 1974 home tests against Great Britain.

- NZPA