William Kingita Te Pohe Bush MNZM (born 24 January 1949) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A prop, Bush represented Canterbury at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1974 to 1979. He played 37 matches for the All Blacks including 12 internationals.[1] He also represented, coached and selected for Māori All Blacks.
| Birth name | William Kingita Te Pohe Bush | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 24 January 1949 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Napier, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 103 kg (227 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Whakatane High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In the 1996 Queen's Birthday Honours, Bush was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to rugby.[2] In 2021 he was made a life member of New Zealand Māori Rugby Board.
Personal life
editBush is a New Zealander of Māori descent (Ngāti Hineuru and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui descent).[3]
In October 2022 Bush was engaged to be the bus driver for the All Black squad.[4]
References
edit- ^ Knight, Lindsay. "Billy Bush". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 1996". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 3 June 1996. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ^ "Ex-All Blacks warriors Tane Norton and Bill Bush honoured with carving". Stuff. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "All Blacks driven around Nelson by former 12-Test prop Bill Bush".
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