Legendary All Blacks rugby coach Alex ‘Grizz’ Wyllie has died at the age of 80, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced.
Wyllie, who was a formidable loose forward for Canterbury and New Zealand before becoming a coach, passed away on Saturday.
He played 11 Tests for the All Blacks between 1970 and 1973 but it was as a coach that he made his greatest contribution, winning 25 and drawing one of the 29 Tests when he was in charge – an 86.2 percent win ratio.
His biggest regret was losing to Australia in Dublin in the semi-final of the 1991 World Cup when he had John Hart sharing the coaching duties.
Wyllie did, however, taste World Cup glory as assistant to Brian Lochore when the All Blacks won the inaugural tournament in 1987.
“Grizz Wyllie embodied everything that makes New Zealand rugby special – toughness, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” said NZR Chair David Kirk, who captained the All Blacks to that victory in 1987.
“I remember him as a fierce competitor, an uncompromising player and a tough coach.”
NZR chief executive Mark Robinson acknowledged Wyllie’s immense contribution to rugby in New Zealand.
“Grizz Wyllie was a true giant of our game, not just in the way he played, but in the way he led and inspired those around him,” he said.
“Grizz was a larger-than-life character who made an immense impact as a player and coach, and his legacy will live on in New Zealand and world rugby forever.”
Wyllie was tied to Canterbury, playing 210 games for the province between 1964 and 1979, including over 100 as captain. He then coached them from 1982 to 1986.
“As both a player and coach, Grizz set standards that defined Canterbury rugby and left a lasting legacy on New Zealand’s rugby culture,” said Canterbury Rugby Union Chair Mike Lay.
Wyllie subsequently took on various international coaching roles in England, Ireland, South Africa and Argentina, leading the Pumas to their first Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in 1999 as head coach.