Blair Furlong

Blair Donald Marie Furlong QSM (born 10 March 1945)[1] is a former New Zealand cricketer and rugby union player.

Blair Furlong QSM
Furlong in 2016
Born	Blair Donald Marie Furlong 10 March 1945 Dannevirke, New Zealand
Education	Dannevirke High School
Relatives	Campbell Furlong (son) John Furlong (son)
Rugby career
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	89 kg (196 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) First five-eighth Halfback All Black No. 685 Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1963–1971 Hawke's Bay 77 () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1970 New Zealand 1 (0)
Cricket information
Batting	Left-handed
Bowling	Right-arm offbreak
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1963/64–1972/73	Central Districts
Career statistics
Competition FC LA Matches 15 3 Runs scored 246 24 Batting average 12.94 24.00 100s/50s 0/0 0/0 Top score 49 20* Balls bowled 120 Wickets 26 0 Bowling average 35.42 – 5 wickets in innings 1 0 10 wickets in match 0 0 Best bowling 6/115 – Catches/stumpings 10/– 1/–
Source: Cricinfo, 31 October 2020

Career

At just 18, one year out of Dannevirke High School, Furlong played for Hawke's Bay in their midweek match against the touring 1963 England side. It was an immensely strong Bay side at the time and the game against England was comfortably won.

In the next three seasons Furlong, 1.83m and nearly 90 kg, briefly played for Wellington B in 1966 and Bay of Plenty early in 1967 Furlong midway through the 1967 season began what was the most effective period of his rugby career. This was as the first five in the Bay's golden Ranfurly Shield era which lasted until 1969.

Furlong became one of the Bay's mainstays in retaining the shield when Wellington strongly challenged at the end of the 1967 season. Furlong, who in 1963 had missed a late dropped goal against Auckland which would have meant an historic win, this time dropped the goal which gave the Bay a 12-all draw. Furlong is of Ngati Porou and Ngai Tahu descent. This plus his solid form for the Bay in 1967–69 made him a contender for the All Black side to tour South Africa in 1970.

Furlong played well in his two trials, one at first five eighths and the other at fullback, and his record for the Bay made him a worthy selection. On the hard grounds of South Africa Furlong sometimes struggled but he played in 11 of the tour matches, nine at first five and two at fullback, and gained his cap in the fourth test of the series. A competent kicker, he contributed 32 points from 10 conversions, three penalties and a dropped goal.

He had another trial in 1971 but was not considered for that year's series against the Lions. His tactical nous was recognised, though, with his appointment as the Bay captain in 1971. He played 12 matches for the Bay in what was his farewell season, including that against the Lions, to bring his total for the union to 77.

Furlong later coached and administered at Hawke's Bay union level. But his other sporting passion took over in his later years and he was a long term chief executive of the Central Districts association.

Furlong played at first-class level for some seasons with Central Districts and as an off spin bowler in 1965 achieved a hat-trick for New Zealand under 23 against Canterbury. He is the father of cricketer Campbell Furlong.

Honours

In the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours, Furlong was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to cricket and rugby.[2]

References

1. Blair Furlong player profile scrum.com
2. "Queen's 90th birthday honours list 2016". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 6 June 2016.

External links

• CricketArchive Profile
• Blair Furlong at AllBlacks.com