William Francis (rugby player)

William Charles Francis (4 February 1894 – 28 November 1981) was a New Zealand rugby union player.[1] A hooker, Francis represented Wellington at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1913 and 1914. He played 12 matches for the All Blacks including seven internationals.[2]

Bill Francis

Birth name	William Charles Francis
Date of birth	4 February 1894
Place of birth	New Plymouth, New Zealand
Date of death	28 November 1981 (aged 87)
Place of death	Pukekohe, New Zealand
Height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Notable relative(s)	Nelson Ball (cousin)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker All Black No. 194 Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1913–15, 1921 Wellington 20 () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1913–14 New Zealand 5 (6)

He was a first cousin of Nelson Ball,[3] who played for the All Blacks between 1931 and 1936, and who was also the father of cartoonist, Murray Ball.[4]

Following the death of Richard Fogarty in 1980, Francis held the distinction of being the oldest living All Black.

References

1. "William Charles Francis". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
2. Knight, Lindsay. "Bill Francis". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
3. "Descendants of Mary Maria (Body) Ball". WikiTree. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
4. Knight, Lindsay. "Nelson Ball". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 20 March 2018.