Fergie McCormick

William Fergus McCormick (24 April 1939 – 10 April 2018) was a New Zealand rugby union footballer who played for the All Blacks and Canterbury. McCormick first played representative rugby for Canterbury in 1958 when he played first five-eighth against Wellington. The following year he played twelve matches for Canterbury; the first of the season a 20–14 victory over the touring British Lions.

Fergie McCormick

McCormick c. 1961
Birth name	William Fergus McCormick
Date of birth	24 April 1939
Place of birth	Ashburton, New Zealand
Date of death	10 April 2018 (aged 78)
Place of death	Christchurch, New Zealand
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight	83 kg (13 st 1 lb)
Notable relative(s)	Archie McCormick (father) Andrew McCormick (son) Alastair McCormick school = Papanui High School Christchurch Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1957–75 Linwood (777) Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1958–75 Canterbury 222 (1297) National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1965–71 New Zealand 16 (121)

As well as playing regularly for the South Island, McCormick continued playing for Canterbury where he eventually switched to fullback. In 1965 he was selected for his first Test for the New Zealand national side (the All Blacks), which was a 20–3 victory over South Africa. He was next selected for the All Blacks in 1967 for their tour of Canada, the British Isles and France. He was a regular starter for the All Blacks and toured with them to South Africa in 1970. He was dropped for the fourth Test of the South Africa tour and made his final appearance for the All Blacks against the British Lions in 1971.

McCormick continued to play for Canterbury, however. When he retired, following the 1975 season, he had scored a record total of 1297 points for Canterbury. He scored a total of 2065 points in 310 first class matches.

McCormick died in Christchurch from throat cancer on 10 April 2018.[1][2]

References

1. "Former All Black and Canterbury fullback Fergie McCormick dies". Stuff.co.nz. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
2. Smith, Tony (10 April 2018). "Ex-All Black Fergie McCormick's passing robs rugby of a 'committed character'". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 10 April 2018.

Bibliography

• Gifford, Phil (2004). The Passion – The Stories Behind 125 years of Canterbury Rugby. Wilson Scott Publishing. ISBN 0-9582535-1-X.
• Veysey, Alex (1976). Fergie. Christchurch: Whitcoulls Publishers. ISBN 0-7233-0469-6.

External links

• Fergie McCormick at AllBlacks.com