Monday Sport Blast From The Past.
Andy Leslie is perhaps best known as the captain of the All Blacks that controversially toured South Africa in 1976.
A proud member of the Petone Rugby Club, he was a friend and colleague of the legendary fullback Bob Scott. Here a few facts that you might not know about Leslie.
- His father, Andy, was a professional footballer in Scotland and later became a life member of the Petone Football Club.
- As well as rugby, he represented New Zealand at softball and was also a good basketballer and excelled at waterpolo.
- He lived for sport at school and liked to joke about his success at School Certificate. "I went to school to eat my lunch and play sport. I got 55 in School Cert, 11 for each subject."
- In 2017, he was inducted into the Hutt Valley Sports Awards Hall of Fame by All Black coach Steve Hansen.
- Leslie played 144 games for Wellington, captaining them to a win in the Ranfurly Shield in 1974.
- His wife is Lesley Leslie. Their children, John and Marty, were both talented rugby players.
- In 2007, he was elected President of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.
- He has had a long association with the New Zealand Rugby Foundation, which helps players who have suffered a spinal injury.
What are your memories of Andy and his career?
Age Concern Christmas Social Hubs for the Hutt Valley
Meri Kirihimete - Merry Christmas
Come and join our fun Christmas Hubs:
Upper Hutt - Te Kupenga o Rongomai - Maidstone Sports Centre, Wednesday 11th Dec at 12pm featuring the Hutt Ukulele Orchestra.
Lower Hutt - Walter Nash Centre, Thursday 12 December 1:30pm
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Moe mai rā, Nicholas.
We're sad to announce the passing of Nicholas Boyack, our Hutt Valley reporter who has long written for The Dominion Post, The Hutt News and Upper Hutt Leader.