About Bernie Green
Lived 1962 – 2009 (aged 46–47). Bernie Green was a New Zealand rugby league player.
Bernard John Green ( – 8 September 2009) was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand.
Playing career Green played in the West Coast Rugby League competition and represented the West Coast.
In 1980 he played for the South Island in the New Zealand Rugby League's inter-district competition. He was then selected for the New Zealand squad that was touring Great Britain and France, becoming Kiwi number 556. He played in 9 games and scored 5 tries on tour, but did not play in any of the test matches.
1980 Green played for South Island against the touring Australian team filled with talent. Green marked Chris Close with South Island winning the game giving Australia their only loss for the tour.
Green was later selected for the 1980 kiwi tour of GB and France where he played 8 games scoring 5 tries. Green picked up an illness on tour preventing him from playing further games. In France, the kiwis last tour game, Green was named player of the day.
In 1981 Green played for the South Island against the touring French side. In 1987 Runanga again won the West Coast title, and Green was part of the West Coast B side that won the South Island second division. Green was Runanga's player-coach in 1989 and again played for the West Coast.
In 1997, Green coached the Runanga team to the post competition super-six title. The game was played against Cobden in Cobden and a young Runanga side claimed the victory. This would be Runangas last title until 2006.
in 2001 at 42, Green made a special appearance playing his last senior competitive game for Runanga against Suburbs. Green played alongside his four sons and was cheered on by his wife Rose and daughter in the stands. Suburbs were the previous years grand final winners and clear favourites, however tries to two of Greens sons who also kicked goals created a memorial win for Green. Due to two of Greens sons playing in Australia and not being registered and Green himself not being registered, Suburbs complained to the WCRL and were awarded the two points. Green commented, the win was the icing on the cake, considering the games he played during his playing days, Green said this was his biggest career highlight playing alongside his four boys.
Two of Greens sons played for NZ junior age group teams.
Later years A miner, Green died on 8 September 2006 during a rockfall at the Roa mine.
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Important facts
People in Bernie Green's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Bernie Green's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Bernie Green?
New Zealand rugby league footballer
When was Bernie Green born?
Bernie Green was born in 1962 in New Zealand.
When did Bernie Green die?
Bernie Green died on 8 September 2009 in Blackball.
What was Bernie Green's occupation?
Bernie Green was a rugby league player.
What nationality was Bernie Green?
Bernie Green was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bernie Green. https://biography.guide/bernie-green/
MLA: "Bernie Green." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bernie-green/.
Chicago: "Bernie Green." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bernie-green/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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