Ron Elvidge
New Zealand
Full name Ronald Rutherford Elvidge
Born March 2, 1923, Timaru
Died March 30, 2019, Auckland (aged 96 years 28 days)
Major teams New Zealand
Position Five-eighth

Test career
Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop GfM Won Lost Draw %
All Tests 1946-1950 9 9 0 12 4 0 0 0 0 4 4 1 50
Bledisloe Cup 1946-1946 2 2 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 100

Career statistics
Test debut New Zealand v Australia at Dunedin, Sep 14, 1946 match details
Last Test New Zealand v British and Irish Lions at Wellington, Jul 1, 1950 match details
Test Statsguru Main menu | Career summary | Match list | Most points | Most tries | Tournament list
Profile

A medical man - he became a leading gynaecologist and obstetrician in Auckland - Ron Elvidge played nine times for the All Blacks immediately after the war. Although only 5'11" and 12 stone he was considered big for the time. He was in the side which were thrashed in South Africa in 1949 but retained his place for the visit of the Lions the following year and made a huge impression on what was his final series. In the first Test he scored the try which gave the All Blacks a draw but his last game, the deciding third Test, was storybook stuff. Shortly before half-time he left the field with a damaged collar bone. In the era before replacements he resumed - the All Blacks were already down to 14 because of a serious knee injury to prop Johnny Simpson - but was a virtual spectator, playing behind the back line. Speaking years later, he recalled: "I know Cleaver [the Lions fullback] was in front of me and Peter Johnstone [a forward switched into the backs because of the injuries] was beside me. I was still shaky and groggy and it was because of that I decided to have a go at Cleaver myself. I was scared that had I passed to Peter, my handicap might not have meant the ball even reaching him." He scored but that was almost the last act of his rugby career as he never played again. "If it had not been for the rules I'd have not gone back," he said. "I'd have to say the rules of the time were absolutely stupid and dangerous."
Martin Williamson

Latest Articles
The forward pass, the longest international tour and Gus Black (May 9, 2012) The crocked Kiwi match winner (Jul 1, 1900)
Latest Photos
May 27, 1950
Ron Elvidge scores the vital try to draw the match
Ron Elvidge scores the vital try to draw the match
©  Unknown

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices