Obituary : Mike McCool
It is with great sadness to hear about the passing away of Mike McCool. (15 September 1951 – 23 June 2020)
Our sympathies are with his family during this time of loss for a truly great person.
Mike was a legend of our game in the union, having played for Wairarapa Bush and was an integral part of the Sir Brian Lochore era which won promotion to the first division. Mike was Wairarapa Bush’s first All Black selected when the union amalgamated in 1971.
There are many people in the union who played work and enjoyed his company immensely.
I myself, remember Mike playing for the green and red in the late 70’s and my grandfather and I sat around the radio listening to the live broadcast of his only test match played in Australia.
I think it would be fair to say, Mike was one of my rugby hero’s.
There are many of his former team mates who will remember Mike on a personal note and as a Union we send our thoughts and prays to Mike’s family.
Tony Hargood
On behalf of the Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union
Playing Career:
McCool, Michael John b 15.9.1951 Hastings – d 23.6.20
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- Hawke’s Bay (Hastings Celtic) 1972(13)-73(12)-74(14)-75-76(8)-77(14)-78(14), 76g;
- Wairarapa Bush (Pongaroa United) 1979(11)-80(12)-81(13)-82(4)-83(10), 50g, 1t;
- Saracens Club 1978;
- BJ Lochore’s Invit XV 1981;
- NZ Marist 1976;
- NZ Juniors (Under 23) 1974(6);
- NZ Trial 1979;
- NEW ZEALAND 1979, 2g (1 test, v Aust).
- Career: 138g, 1t. Lock.
- ed Kereru PS 1960-64; St Patrick’s C, Silverstream, 1965-68, XV ’68. Farmer.
RUGBY CLUB (First made All Blacks from) |
Pongaroa United |
PROVINCE | Wairarapa Bush |
ALL BLACK DEBUT | Tuesday, 24 July 1979 v Queensland B at Brisbane aged 27 years, 312 days |
INTERNATIONAL DEBUT | Saturday, 28 July 1979 v Australia at Sydney aged 27 years, 316 days |
LAST TEST | Saturday, 28 July 1979 v Australia at Sydney aged 27 years, 316 days |
ALL BLACK TESTS | 1 |
ALL BLACK GAMES | 1 |
TOTAL ALL BLACK MATCHES | 2 |
STARTING POSITIONS | Jersey Number 5 : 1 |
ALL BLACK TEST POINTS | 0pts |
ALL BLACK GAME POINTS | 0pts |
TOTAL ALL BLACK POINTS | 0pts |
ALL BLACK NUMBER | 795 |
ALL BLACK GAMES THAT MCCOOL PLAYED(+) = substitute; (-) = replaced |
Click on the date below to view the Match Card |
1979 |
24 Jul vs Queensland B at Brisbane 35-3 |
28 Jul vs Australia at Sydney 6-12 |
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