Former All Blacks captain, who represented his country 53 times, was also a respected educator and staunch opponent of apartheid

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Sir John Graham, the former All Blacks captain, rugby administrator and educator, has died after a short illness, aged 82.

Graham, widely known as DJ, played 53 times for New Zealand, including 22 Test matches between 1958 and 1964. He captained his country on 10 occasions.

After retiring from playing he returned to his former calling in life and went on to become headmaster at Auckland Grammar, a post he would hold for 21 years. In 1994, he received a CBE for services to education and the community.

He also had a spell as manager of the New Zealand cricket team – during which time he oversaw the team’s first Test wins over England at Lord’s and The Oval – and later became president of New Zealand Rugby.

Graham was also known for his anti-apartheid views and expressed his uneasiness at touring South Africa with the All Blacks in 1960. When South Africa played in New Zealand in 1981, Graham declined to attend matches.



He was named New Zealander of the Year in 1999.

All Blacks (@AllBlacks) New Zealand Rugby mourns the passing of former All Blacks flanker Sir John Graham.



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“DJ was a great all-round New Zealander,” said the New Zealand Rugby chief executive, Steve Tew. “From his exploits on the rugby field to those in the classroom he was simply exceptional, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Sheila and the rest of his family.

“His commitment to all aspects of the game and New Zealand society is legendary. He was a player, coach and administrator of rugby and also managed the New Zealand cricket team. Equal to his sporting achievements was his academic contribution driven by a lifelong commitment to the transformative power of education.

“He was an early member of the Rugby Foundation which looks after severely injured players. His ongoing dedication to those players speaks volumes of the kind of man he was.

“DJ was a person I feel extremely privileged to have met. He was a leader in every endeavour he turned to, and his long list of honours and achievements are testaments to his exceptional character.”