Former All Black Grant Batty dies, aged 74

Former All Blacks winger Grant Batty passed away in Queensland on Friday, aged 74.

The 56-time All Black scored 180 points for the team, with 16 of those points coming in his 15 Test matches.

Batty’s 165 cm frame often made him the shortest on the park. And yet, just five games into his senior career with Wellington, he was selected for an All Blacks trial. Two years later, in 1972, he made his debut.

The Kuranui College product scored a remarkable 70 tries for the school in the 1969 season, playing at second five-eighth and fullback.

Rugby Almanack editor Arthur Carman, having watched Batty’s debut season for Wellington, wrote, “A real quick silver type with twinkling feet and an eye for the opening, Batty is still a good handling link in the back line; most of his appearances were at second five-eight or at centre.”

While originally dedicated to the halfback position, a move from University to Marist St-Pats would eventually cement his future on the outside edge.

Having established himself as a reliable defensive option as well as an electric attacking threat, Batty would spend five years in the All Blacks, scoring his most memorable try in his final outing for the team.

Suiting up against the British and Irish Lions and playing through a knee injury, the 70 kg speedster stole a Trefor Evans pass and ran half the length of the field to score. The All Blacks would go on to win the match 16-12.

The New Zealand Herald first reported Batty’s passing on Friday, with former All Black captain Ian Kirkpatrick telling the outlet the news had come as a huge shock.