Dick Everest

Dick Everest
Birth nameRichard Everest
Date of birth(1915-05-12)12 May 1915
Place of birthHamilton, New Zealand
Date of death28 February 1994(1994-02-28) (aged 78)
Place of deathHamilton, New Zealand
Rugby union career
Position(s) Five-eighth
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1937–44 Waikato ()
Coaching career
Years Team
1947 Frankton
1950-56 Waikato
1957 New Zealand

Dick Everest (12 May 1915 – 28 February 1994) was a New Zealand rugby union player and coach. Beginning his career with Frankton Rugby Club,[1] Everest played for Waikato between 1937 and 1944, as a five-eighth,[2] before playing for the New Zealand Defence Force Combined Team - Everest never played for the national team as there were no All Blacks matches during World War II.[1]

After the war, during which a shoulder injury ended his prospects as a player,[2] Everest returned to Frankton as a coach, before beginning his legendary[3] tenure with the Mooloos. Learning innovative tactics from matches lost and recruiting several future All Blacks, Everest enabled a climb for the Waikato side using the limited resources available to him that led to a memorable victory over the 1956 touring Springboks side in the opening match of the New Zealand leg of the tour.[2]

In 1957, Everest was appointed All Blacks coach for the tour of Australia, where he lead the team to victory in two test matches.[4] Everest was considered for coach when the All Blacks toured South Africa in 1960, the position ultimately going to Jack Sullivan who was unable to attain victory; New Zealand would not win a series in South Africa until 1996.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Quick, Andy (March 1991). "Bryce Cowley was a player with rare ability" (PDF). Hamilton Old Boys Rugby and Sports Club Inc 75th Jubilee. Hamilton Old Boys Rugby and Sports Club Inc. p. 35. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Verdon, Paul (1999). The Power Behind the All Blacks: The Untold Story of the Men who Coached the All Blacks. Penguin Books. pp. 122–125. ISBN 978-0-1402-8913-8. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Waikato Rugby Union - 1950-1959". Waikato Rugby Union. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  4. ^ "Rugby Database Coach: Dick Everest coached All Blacks games". Rugby Database. Retrieved 7 August 2025.