MEDIA RELEASE
Monday 25 February 2019

Taranaki Rugby is mourning the loss of its patron, life member, past president and double centurion, Ian “Legs” Eliason who passed away on Sunday night. 

Eliason (73) will be remembered as a true gentleman who encompassed everything that was good about the game.

Taranaki Rugby chairman, Lindsay Thomson, said it was an incredibly sad day for Taranaki and New Zealand rugby and our thoughts are with the family at this time.  He was a “humble passionate rugby ambassador who will be greatly missed but fondly remembered”.

Eliason holds the New Zealand provincial record (with Canterbury’s Fergie McCormick) of 222 first class games for Taranaki achieved from when he was first selected as an 18 year old in 1964 through to 1981, when he retired, aged 36.  He had the unique distinction of both his 100^th and 200^th games for Taranaki being internationals – against England in 1973, won 6-3, and against Italy in 1980, won 30-9.

He played his whole club career for Kaponga and coached them when his playing days were over. 

He was selected on the 1972-73 All Black tour of Britain and France and appeared in 19 matches. 

In 2009 iconic rugby photographer, Peter Bush, in his book “A Life in Focus” singled out Legs as the man he believed most epitomised what it means to wear the All Black jersey.  He said of Legs, “He, to me, was the warmest, friendliest, and I still think he stood for what an All Black, if you came from a lesser province, was all about.”.

Taranaki Rugby extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to Ian’s wife, Ngaire and their three children, and extended family.   

Funeral details to follow. 

-ENDS-

Article added: Monday 25 February 2019