Neil Wolfe

Thomas Neil Wolfe (born 20 October 1941) is a former New Zealand rugby union player, businessman, sports administrator and local politician. He played 14 matches, including six Tests, for the New Zealand national rugby team, the All Blacks, between 1961 and 1968. He was active in sports administration, including as president of the Taranaki Rugby Union and the Taranaki Jockey Club, and served as a New Plymouth district councillor between 2004 and 2010.

Early life and family Wolfe was born in New Plymouth on 20 October 1941, the son of Welsh-born Mary Wolfe (née Thomas) and Harry Wolfe, originally from Australia. He was educated at New Plymouth Boys' High School, where he played for the school's 1st XV rugby team for four years, coached by JJ Stewart, and was captain of the team in his final year, 1959. He went on to study accountancy at Victoria University of Wellington from 1960 to 1962. including television actress and film director Katie Wolfe, and Todd Wolfe, who played provincial rugby for Taranaki.

Rugby union career Wolfe played his rugby as a first five-eighth, second five-eighth or centre. He made his Wellington debut in 1960 as an 18-year-old, and his dazzling footwork soon brought him national attention, and rough treatment from opposition loose forwards. Aged 19 years 275 days, Wolfe was, at the time, the seventh youngest All Blacks player on Test debut, and remains the 10th-youngest of all time. Standing tall, he is also one of the shortest All Blacks ever. He appeared in the second and third tests against France, and the following year toured Australia with the national side, playing in six of the 10 matches including both Tests against .

Wolfe's international career continued in 1963, playing at second five-eighth in the first Test at Eden Park against the touring England team. Wolfe broke his arm playing against later in the season, and did not play for the All Blacks again until being selected for the 1968 tour of Australia during which he appeared in four matches but did not play in any of the internationals. He served as chair of the New Plymouth Central School board of trustees and as a member of the New Plymouth Boys' High School board, including 15 years as chair.

Later life In the 2015 New Year Honours, Wolfe was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to sport, education and the community. In later years, Wolfe has suffered from dementia, thought to be linked to numerous concussions that he experienced during his rugby-playing days.