Dick Conway (rugby union)

Dick Conway

Conway, c. 1960
Birth name	Richard James Conway
Date of birth	(1935-04-22)22 April 1935
Place of birth	Whakatāne, New Zealand
Date of death	25 May 2022(2022-05-25) (aged 87)
Place of death	Whakatāne, New Zealand
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	86 kg (190 lb)
School	Whakatane High School
Occupation(s)	Carpenter
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loose forward Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1957–1961 Otago () 1962–1968 Bay of Plenty 72 () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1959–1965 New Zealand 10 (3)

Richard James Conway (22 April 1935 – 25 May 2022), also known as Red Conway, was a New Zealand rugby union player. He played ten tests for the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, between 1959 and 1965 at number 8 or flanker. ^[1] In 1960, he had a finger amputated so he could take part in a tour of Australia and South Africa. ^[2]

Early life

Conway was born in Whakatāne on 22 April 1935, and educated at Whakatane High School, where he played as a hooker. ^[1] As well as playing rugby, Conway played softball as a catcher in the summer, and represented Rotorua in 1956. ^[1]

Rugby union career

Conway was small for a loose forward, standing 1.75 metres (5 ft 9 in) tall and weighing 85 kilograms (187 lb), but was known as a dynamic tackler. ^[3]

Provincial

Conway made his provincial debut for Otago, where he spent several winters, in 1957. ^[1] He went on to play 72 games for Bay of Plenty from 1962 to 1968, and was captain of the team. ^{[1] [4]}

International

Conway debuted for the All Blacks in 1959, playing the second test against the touring British Lions. ^[3] The first test had resulted in a New Zealand win, but was described as "New Zealand's saddest victory" by some in the press due to the Lions' outscoring the home team four tries to none. ^{[5] [6]}

A persistent finger injury incurred from playing as a softball catcher put Conway's 1960 tour of South Africa in doubt. ^[3] The damage occurred to his third finger on his right hand after it was broken while trying to catch a foul ball. After the break mended the finger retained a kink and he was told by a specialist that if he kept playing rugby the finger would keep breaking. To keep his spot on the tour Conway decided have the finger amputated after the final selection trial. ^[7] He was not selected for the All Blacks for five years following the tour until 1965, when he was recalled for four tests against South Africa. He played an important role in securing a 3–1 series victory. ^[8] That was his last game for the All Blacks, although he did play in a "The Rest" team against them the next year. ^[9]

Later life and death

Conway worked as a carpenter, and he coached rugby at club level in Whakatāne during the 1970s. ^[1]

He died in Whakatāne on 25 May 2022, aged 87. ^{[10] [11]}

References

1. Luxford, Bob. "Red Conway". New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
2. Johannsen, Dana; Cleaver, Dylan (10 September 2012). "Danger of ignoring hard knocks of the game". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 27 May 2022.
3. Leggat, David (20 July 2006). "The great All Black comebacks". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 27 May 2022.
4. "Big honour to be picked, says Reid". Bay of Plenty Times . 15 August 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
5. At the time a try was worth three points, the same as a penalty. The final score of 18–17 was composed of six penalties for New Zealand to four tries (12 points), one conversion (2 points) and a penalty (3 points) to the Lions. A try is now worth five points.
6. Richards, Huw (18 June 2013). "Highest honour in rugby history". Financial Times . Retrieved 27 May 2022.
7. "Miracle recovery for Waratah Phil Waugh". Stuff . 1 March 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
8. Leggat, David (17 March 2012). "Gillespie among the great comebacks". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 27 May 2022.
9. Quinn, Keith (22 March 2011). "ABs v 'The Rest' offers best test". Archived from the original on 23 March 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
10. "Former All Black Richard 'Red' Conway dies at 87". Stuff . 27 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
11. "Richard James Conway". The New Zealand Herald . 27 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.