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Jack Sullivan

1915 – 1990

New Zealand rugby union footballer and coach

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About Jack Sullivan

Lived 1915 – 1990 (aged 75). Jack Sullivan was a New Zealand rugby union player.

John Lorraine Sullivan (30 March 1915 – 9 July 1990) was a New Zealand rugby union player, coach and administrator. A three-quarter and second five-eighth, Sullivan represented Taranaki at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1936 to 1938. He played nine matches for the All Blacks including six internationals.

He was selected by the editors of the 1937 Rugby Almanac of New Zealand as one of their 5 players of the year.

Following World War II, during which he saw service overseas, Sullivan became a rugby union coach, selector and administrator. He coached the Taranaki team during the late 1940s, the New Zealand under-23 side in 1958, and the All Blacks on their 1960 tour to South Africa. He was also a Taranaki selector, a North Island selector (1952–59) and a national selector (1954–60). Sullivan served on the New Zealand Rugby Union executive from 1962 to 1977, and was chairman between 1969 and 1977. In the 1978 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to rugby. He died in Wellington in 1990,

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Awards
Commander of the Order of the British Empire; Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
Also known as
John Lorraine Sullivan

People in Jack Sullivan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jack Sullivan's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jack Sullivan?

New Zealand rugby union footballer and coach

When was Jack Sullivan born?

Jack Sullivan was born on 30 March 1915 in Tahorapāroa.

When did Jack Sullivan die?

Jack Sullivan died on 9 July 1990 in Wellington.

What was Jack Sullivan's occupation?

Jack Sullivan was a rugby union player.

What nationality was Jack Sullivan?

Jack Sullivan was New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jack Sullivan

· Wikidata: Q18632267

· DBpedia: Jack Sullivan (rugby union)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jack Sullivan. https://biography.guide/jack-sullivan-rugby-union-player/

MLA: "Jack Sullivan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jack-sullivan-rugby-union-player/.

Chicago: "Jack Sullivan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jack-sullivan-rugby-union-player/.

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

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