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Jack McLean

1923 – 2005

New Zealand rugby union and rugby league footballer

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About Jack McLean

Lived 1923 – 2005 (aged 81). Jack McLean was a New Zealand rugby league player and rugby union player.

John Kenneth McLean (3 October 1923 – 30 July 2005) was a New Zealand rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. He played two rugby union tests for New Zealand before switching codes and playing rugby league for Bradford Northern, as a .

Background Jack McLean was born in Thames, New Zealand, and he died aged 81 in Thames, New Zealand. He was a well known and loved local rugby icon but was also a teacher at Thames High School from 1956 to 1983. He was known as an avid reader and his athletic achievements are still on record in the Thames High School hall and the new gymnasium is named in his honour.

Rugby union career A wing three-quarter, McLean represented and at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1947 to 1949. He played five matches for the All Blacks including two internationals, both of which were against Australia.

Rugby league career

Bradford Northern McLean was a member of Bradford Northern's table topping side and Championship finalists of 1951–52, and a Yorkshire Cup winner in 1953–54. He scored 63 tries in 46 games in the 1951–52 season, and is the top try scorer of all time with Bradford Northern (now named the Bradford Bulls).

Championship final appearances McLean played on the in Bradford Northern's 6–13 defeat by Wigan in the Championship Final during the 1951–52 season at Leeds Road, Huddersfield on Saturday 10 May 1952.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Thames High School
Also known as
John Kenneth McLean

People in Jack McLean's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jack McLean's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jack McLean?

New Zealand rugby union and rugby league footballer

When was Jack McLean born?

Jack McLean was born on 3 October 1923 in Thames.

When did Jack McLean die?

Jack McLean died on 30 July 2005.

What was Jack McLean's occupation?

Jack McLean was a rugby league player and rugby union player.

What nationality was Jack McLean?

Jack McLean was New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jack McLean

· Wikidata: Q6114028

· DBpedia: Jack McLean (rugby, born 1923)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jack McLean. https://biography.guide/jack-mclean/

MLA: "Jack McLean." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jack-mclean/.

Chicago: "Jack McLean." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jack-mclean/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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