Former All Black Lin Colling dies

1.00pm

Former All Black Lin Colling has died in Auckland.

The Auckland Rugby Football Union confirmed Colling, 56, who played 21 games for the All Blacks in 1972 and 1973, died in Auckland last night.

Colling made his representative debut for Otago in 1967 and played for Auckland between 1974-76.

Educated at Cromwell District High School, Colling first played for the All Blacks on an internal tour in 1972 before being selected for a tour of the Britain and France as second string half-back to Sid Going. He appeared in 15 games.

He also played for the All Blacks in the 1973 internal tour and in Scottish rugby's centenary matches.

After his transfer to Auckland, Colling captained the province for three seasons and coached Ponsonby after his retirement.

He was an All Black selector in 1994 joining his 1968-69 Otago teammates Laurie Mains and Earle Kirton on the national panel.

Colling was coach of the New Zealand Colts in Australia for three wins from three and the Development team in Argentina.

He was is an uncle of former New Zealand netball captain Belinda Colling who is in Jamaica with the Silver Ferns at the world championships.

Colling, who had been ill for some time with a brain tumour, was born in Cromwell in Central Otago played 68 games for Otago from 1967 to 1973 and 35 for Auckland, including 13 Ranfurly Shield challenges, from 1974 to 1976. He captained both sides.

He was a member of the Auckland Rugby Union Board at the time of his death but had just applied for leave of absence and had been replaced by former All Black captain Gary Whetton.

He was described by Auckland Rugby Union spokesman Graham Reddaway as "a good guy - very very clever."

He said Colling was also an exceptional and tireless coach and was a member of the New Zealand unions technical advisory committee.

As half back he was "feisty," said Reddaway.

"He didn't look backwards."

Colling's funeral service is likely to be held at Eden Park and both the Otago and Auckland teams were likely to wear black armbands for their opening match of the National Provincial Championship at Carisbrook on August 15.

Colling is survived by his wife Sandi and sons Mark and Antony.

- NZPA