Tony Coll – West Coast & Kiwis Great . Kiwi # 503

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DescriptionTony Coll – West Coast & Kiwis Great . Kiwi # 503
Paid my respects today One of West Coast rugby league’s greatest-ever players, Tony Coll briefly played in Canterbury as a teenager before returning home and building a remarkable career that saw him represent New Zealand in 65 matches, including 30 Tests.
A wholehearted, tremendously mobile second-rower, Coll was among the elite Kiwi forwards of the 1970s — tough, tireless and a superb defender. He made his West Coast debut at just 19 and was selected for the 1972 World Cup squad a year later.
Coll’s Test debut came in unusual circumstances against France, but he quickly cemented his place, starring across the 1970s. Highlights included a man-of-the-match performance against Wales in 1975, captaining New Zealand at the 1977 World Cup, and winning the Steve Watene Trophy as New Zealand Player of the Year in 1976.
West Coast legend and Kiwis coach George Menzies later declared Coll the best forward the Coast had ever produced.
He finished with 58 games for West Coast and 65 for New Zealand before retiring in 1983. The tributes following his sudden passing in 2020, aged 68, reflected the immense respect he earned across the rugby league community.ContributorGLEN HEWISON

From Facebook

CommentsSharon Cohen-Manley
He was my Hero in League and what a beautiful Headstone

Murray Saunders
Yep one of a kind that man. Respect Butch

Norman Bedggood
Great Westcoaster and sportsman.

Johnny Bromley
Lengand and a top bloke

Bernie Bell
Great all around sportsman Butch.????

Andrew Nichols
68? 70 more like.

Bryan Jager
top guy&great play

Judith Hansen
beautiful head stone.

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Tony Coll – West Coast & Kiwis Great . Kiwi # 503

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