About Richard White
Lived 1925 – 2012 (aged 86). Richard White was a New Zealand rugby union player and farmer.
Richard Alexander "Tiny" White (11 June 1925 – 10 March 2012) was a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played 23 tests and 55 games for the All Blacks.
Early life Richard Alexander White was educated at Gisborne Boys' High School and Feilding Agricultural High School. It was at school that he earned the ironic nickname "Tiny". White was regarded as tall by 1940s standards.
Rugby career Richard White played for Poverty Bay. He debuted for the All Blacks in 1949 by playing two tests against Australia and he immediately became an important player for them. He never missed a test match during his career and was only subbed off once in his career. White also played in thirty of the 36 games during the All Blacks 1953–54 New Zealand rugby union tour of Britain, Ireland, France and North America, the most of any player.
White was regarded as being excellent in the lineout. He was also very quick and had "incredible stamina." Terry McLean once remarked that he was "a wonderful player" who "played with matchless vigour, especially in the lineout."
White was forced to retire from rugby at age thirty-two after he received a kick in the back. This along with his farming injuries and an almost paralyzed left hand was too much for him to continue playing.
White died in Gisborne on 10 March 2012. The rower Chris White is his son.
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Important facts
People in Richard White's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Richard White's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Richard White?
New Zealand rugby union footballer (1925-2012)
When was Richard White born?
Richard White was born on 11 June 1925 in Gisborne.
When did Richard White die?
Richard White died on 10 March 2012 in Gisborne.
What was Richard White's occupation?
Richard White was a rugby union player and farmer.
What nationality was Richard White?
Richard White was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Richard White (rugby union)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Richard White. https://biography.guide/richard-white-rugby-union-player/
MLA: "Richard White." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/richard-white-rugby-union-player/.
Chicago: "Richard White." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/richard-white-rugby-union-player/.
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