Brian Sampson

Brian Victor Sampson (30 July 1945 – 29 April 2026) was a New Zealand cricketer, and rugby union player and coach.

Early life and family Sampson was born in Ashburton on 30 July 1945, the third son of Andrew David and Mary Luwena Sampson. In August 1964, he became engaged to Janice Margaret Kerr, and the couple subsequently married. He was a right-handed batsman, and scored a total of 40 runs in those two games, averaging 20.00 with a high score of 24 not out.

Sampson also played for Ashburton County from 1960/61 to 1979/80, including in Hawke Cup fixtures between 1964/65 and 1979/80.

Rugby union career A winger, Sampson was a member of the Allenton Rugby Football Club in Ashburton. He also made three appearances for a combined Hanan Shield unions (Mid Canterbury / South Canterbury / North Otago) team, in 1965 and 1968, and played one match for the South Island in 1969. During Sampson's tenure as coach, Mid Canterbury twice won the National Provincial Championship second division South Island title, in 1980 and 1983.