Fred Allen (rugby union)

For other uses, see Fred Allen .Sir Frederick "Fred" Richard Allen, KNZM, OBE (born 9 February 1920 in Oamaru, New Zealand) is a former rugby union footballer and coach. Allen was educated in Christchurch where he played for the Linwood club and at Auckland Grammar School where he played for the 1st xv as a winger. After captaining the Canterbury Colts in 1938, he was selected for Canterbury in 1939. During World War II Allen served as a lieutenant in the 27th and 30th Battalions. He played for service teams including the 2nd NZEF "Kiwis" Army team that toured Britain following the war. When he returned to New Zealand he settled in Auckland, and was selected for the All Blacks in 1946. He continued to play for the All Blacks, and in 1949 was selected as captain for the 1949 tour to South Africa. Although each Test was very close, the All Blacks lost the series 4-0. Allen retired from playing after the series.

Allen went on to coach, and was a selector-coach for Auckland during their Ranfurly Shield era of the late 1950s. He was eventually an All Blacks selector before becoming All Blacks coach in 1966. A fierce but very effective coach, Allen picked up the nickname of "The Needle". The All Blacks reign under Allen was the team's most successful; they won all 14 of their Tests with him as coach.This record of 14 wins in 14 Tests was later equalled in South Africa by Kitch Christie. The New Zealand Rugby Football Union...
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