News | Rugby

24 Mar 2025 19:50

| outlook hotmail | yahoo mail | gmail | news | weather | finance | shopping | about nzcity | Search |

NZCity News

News

Home > News > Sports > Rugby

One of the greatest characters in New Zealand rugby history has passed away

One of the greatest characters in New Zealand rugby history has passed away

23 March 2025

Former All Black No 8 and coach Alex Wyllie MBE - known universally as Grizz - has died aged 80.

Wylie played 40 matches, including 11 tests, for the All Blacks...and a whopping 210 provincial matches for his beloved Canterbury.

Grizz coached the red-and-blacks to a Ranfurly Shield win in 1982 and his team went on to hold the trophy for a record-equalling three years.

He also coached Canterbury to wins over the British Lions and the Wallabies before becoming assistant coach as the All Blacks won the first-ever Rugby world Cup in 1987.

He was the All Blacks head coach from 1988 to 1991 before John Hart joined him as co-coach for the 1991 World Cup.

>> More Rugby News

Subscribe to NZCity's Rugby articles

© 2025 Newstalk ZB, NZCity

Other Rugby News

24 Mar: An annual Anzac Day test between the All Black and Wallabies is reportedly off the table for the foreseeable future

23 Mar: Crusaders coach Rob Penney has explained why Scott Barrett never returned to the field after halftime in the 42-19 Super Rugby win over the Blues at Eden Park

23 Mar: The Crusaders have proved they're Super Rugby Pacific title contenders after a commanding 42-19 win over the defending champion Blues at Eden Park

23 Mar: The Waratahs have ended seven years of pain by snapping a 12-match losing streak to the Brumbies with a 28-23 Super Rugby Pacific win in Sydney

22 Mar: Crusaders first five Taha Kemara's relishing the chance to make amends off the tee in tonight's Super Rugby Pacific derby against the Blues at Eden Park

22 Mar: No hard feelings between two former All Blacks teammates ahead of a likely change at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific try-scoring charts

22 Mar: The Chiefs are looking forward to the upcoming bye after opening an eight-point gap atop the Super Rugby Pacific ladder

Top Stories

RUGBY
An annual Anzac Day test between the All Black and Wallabies is reportedly off the table for the foreseeable future More...

BUSINESS
The Prime Minister says changing the Resource Management Act will unlock growth More...

Today's News

Entertainment:
Rob Lowe has an "overly inappropriate interest" in his children's love lives 19:31

Entertainment:
Katherine Ryan has been diagnosed with skin cancer 19:01

Law and Order:
Police have named a man fatally shot in Wairarapa's Featherston in the weekend - as 23 year old Doreion Peri Ropata Hard - from Masterton 18:57

Soccer:
The All Whites are welcoming direct entry for Oceania to next year's Football World Cup - ahead of kickoff in their qualifying final against New Caledonia at Eden Park 18:37

Entertainment:
James Van Der Beek "can see the finish line" of his cancer battle 18:31

International:
Protests and political unrest in Türkiye after arrest of popular mayor 18:17

Rugby:
An annual Anzac Day test between the All Black and Wallabies is reportedly off the table for the foreseeable future 18:07

Entertainment:
Jeff Bridges' dad told him it would be "ridiculous" to consider any other profession than acting 18:01

Motoring:
Police are searching for a vehicle overtaken moments before a crash that left a dozen people injured near Taupo yesterday 17:37

Entertainment:
Cyndi Lauper has no plans to retire following her farewell tour 17:31

News Search

© 2025 New Zealand City Ltd