Esteemed former All Blacks coach and captain Sir Fred Allen has died aged 92.
His family issued a statement on Saturday to say the man known as “The Needle” died in the early hours of the morning at Maygrove Village Hospital in Orewa north of Auckland.
Sir Fred captained the All Blacks in all his 21 games for them between 1946-49, including six Tests. Until his death was the oldest surviving All Black.
He coached the All Blacks between 1966-68 and during his time in charge they won all 14 Tests played, making him the only unbeaten All Blacks coach.
He was awarded an OBE in 1990, and in 2010 was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
The statement announcing his death said he had participated in the opening of a bridge at Auckland Memorial Park and at an Anzac Day service earlier this week.
His wife Norma died in 2009. He is survived by his daughter Marianne and granddaughters Ines and Katia.