Blair Furlong
Encyclopedia
Blair Donald Marie Furlong (born 10 March 1945 in Dannevirke
) is a former New Zealand cricket
er and rugby
player.
In the next three seasons Furlong, who at 1.83m and nearly 90 kg was a big man for a first five eighths at that time, was not always a first choice for the Bay. Some questioned whether he had quite the agility for an inside back and just as often he was used as a fullback.
After briefly playing for Wellington B in 1966 and Bay of Plenty early in 1967 Furlong midway through the 1967 season began what was the most effective period of his rugby career. This was as the first five in the Bay's golden Ranfurly Shield era which lasted until 1969.
Furlong became one of the Bay's mainstays in retaining the shield when Wellington strongly challenged at the end of the 1967 season. Furlong, who in 1963 had missed a late dropped goal against Auckland which would have meant an historic win, this time dropped the goal which gave the Bay a 12-all draw.
Even though he never played for a national Maori side, Furlong had a trace of Maori ancestry. And this plus his solid form for the Bay in 1967–69 made him a contender for the All Black side to tour South Africa in 1970.
Some have suggested that the need to have a number of Maori players in the side, after they had been excluded for all previous tours, was a factor in Furlong's eventual selection over another inside back candidate, Auckland's Alan Watkins.
But Furlong played well in his two trials, one at first five eigthhs and the other at fullback, and his record for the Bay made him a worthy selection. On the hard grounds of South Africa Furlong sometimes struggled but he played in 11 of the tour matches, nine at first five and two at fullback, and gained his cap in the fourth test of the series. A competent kicker, he contributed 32 points from 10 conversions, three penalties and a dropped goal.
He had another trial in 1971 but was not considered for that year's series against the Lions. His tactical nous was recognised, though, with his appointment as the Bay captain in 1971. He played 12 matches for the Bay in what was his farewell season, including that against the Lions, to bring his total for the union to 77.
Furlong later coached and administered at Hawke's Bay union level. But his other sporting passion took over in his later years and he was a long term chief executive of the Central Districts association.
Furlong played at first class level for some seasons with the Central Districts Stags
and as an off spin bowler in 1965 achieved a hat-trick for a New Zealand under 23 selection against Canterbury
. He is the father of cricketer Campbell Furlong
.
Dannevirke
Dannevirke , is a rural service town in the Manawatu-Wanganui Region of the North Island, New Zealand. It is the major town of the administrative Tararua District, the easternmost of the districts in which the Regional Council has responsibilities...
) is a former New Zealand cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
er and rugby
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player.
Career
At just 18, one year out of Dannevirke High School, Furlong played for Hawke's Bay in their midweek match against the touring 1963 England side. It was an immensely strong Bay side at the time and the game against England was comfortably won.In the next three seasons Furlong, who at 1.83m and nearly 90 kg was a big man for a first five eighths at that time, was not always a first choice for the Bay. Some questioned whether he had quite the agility for an inside back and just as often he was used as a fullback.
After briefly playing for Wellington B in 1966 and Bay of Plenty early in 1967 Furlong midway through the 1967 season began what was the most effective period of his rugby career. This was as the first five in the Bay's golden Ranfurly Shield era which lasted until 1969.
Furlong became one of the Bay's mainstays in retaining the shield when Wellington strongly challenged at the end of the 1967 season. Furlong, who in 1963 had missed a late dropped goal against Auckland which would have meant an historic win, this time dropped the goal which gave the Bay a 12-all draw.
Even though he never played for a national Maori side, Furlong had a trace of Maori ancestry. And this plus his solid form for the Bay in 1967–69 made him a contender for the All Black side to tour South Africa in 1970.
Some have suggested that the need to have a number of Maori players in the side, after they had been excluded for all previous tours, was a factor in Furlong's eventual selection over another inside back candidate, Auckland's Alan Watkins.
But Furlong played well in his two trials, one at first five eigthhs and the other at fullback, and his record for the Bay made him a worthy selection. On the hard grounds of South Africa Furlong sometimes struggled but he played in 11 of the tour matches, nine at first five and two at fullback, and gained his cap in the fourth test of the series. A competent kicker, he contributed 32 points from 10 conversions, three penalties and a dropped goal.
He had another trial in 1971 but was not considered for that year's series against the Lions. His tactical nous was recognised, though, with his appointment as the Bay captain in 1971. He played 12 matches for the Bay in what was his farewell season, including that against the Lions, to bring his total for the union to 77.
Furlong later coached and administered at Hawke's Bay union level. But his other sporting passion took over in his later years and he was a long term chief executive of the Central Districts association.
Furlong played at first class level for some seasons with the Central Districts Stags
Central Districts Stags
The Central Districts Stags are a New Zealand first class cricket team based in central New Zealand. It competes in the State Championship first class competition and the State Shield domestic one day competition...
and as an off spin bowler in 1965 achieved a hat-trick for a New Zealand under 23 selection against Canterbury
Canterbury Wizards
The Canterbury Wizards are a New Zealand first class cricket team based in Canterbury, New Zealand. It is one of six teams that make up New Zealand Cricket and has been the most successful domestic team in New Zealand history...
. He is the father of cricketer Campbell Furlong
Campbell Furlong
Campbell James Marie Furlong is a New Zealand cricketer who plays for the Central Districts Stags and for Hawke's Bay in the Hawke Cup competition. He was born in Napier. His father is former All Black, Blair Furlong.-References:...
.