Bill Sorensen
Encyclopedia
William Sorensen was a New Zealand
rugby league
player who represented his country
in the 1954
, 1957
and 1960 World Cups
. His brother Dave also played for the Kiwis as did two of his nephews; Dane
and Kurt
.
and represented Auckland
.
He played in twenty four tests for the New Zealand Kiwis, including seven games at the 1954
, 1957
and 1960 World Cups
. After the 1957 World Cup Sorensen played for the Rest of the World against Australia.
Sorensen also represented the New Zealand Māori side
. He retired following the 1960 World Cup
.
In 1963 Sorensen was player-coach for a New South Wales country team.
coach when they competed the grand slam in 1977, defeating Australia, France
and Great Britain
in a three week period.
He also served as a selector for the New Zealand Kiwis.
in 1991.
Sorensen died in 1996, leaving behind his widow Olga.
He was inducted into the New Zealand Rugby League
's "Legends of League" in 2000.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player who represented his country
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
in the 1954
1954 Rugby League World Cup
The first Rugby League World Cup was held in France in 1954 and officially known as the "Rugby World Cup". The prime motivators behind the idea of holding a rugby league world cup were the French, who were short of money following the seizing of their assets by the rugby union in World War II.The...
, 1957
1957 Rugby League World Cup
The second Rugby League World Cup was held in Australia in 1957. As before a group stage was held first, with matches being held at locations in Sydney and Brisbane....
and 1960 World Cups
1960 Rugby League World Cup
The 1960 Rugby League World Cup was the third staging of the tournament and the first Rugby league World Cup to be held in Great Britain. The same format as used in 1957 was used, with a group stage leading to a final table....
. His brother Dave also played for the Kiwis as did two of his nephews; Dane
Dane Sorensen
Dane Hans Ivan Peter Sorensen is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. Sorensen represented New Zealand and his usual position was prop. He's the brother of fellow Kiwi international, Kurt Sorensen, and the nephew of another pair of Kiwi brothers, Bill and Dave Sorensen...
and Kurt
Kurt Sorensen
Kurt John Sorensen is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer of the 1970s, 80s and 90s. He is the brother of fellow Kiwi international, Dane Sorensen, and the nephew of another pair of Kiwi brothers, Bill and Dave Sorensen...
.
Playing career
Sorensen was a member of the Ponsonby United Rugby League ClubPonsonby Ponies
The Ponsonby Ponies are a rugby league club based in Ponsonby, New Zealand. The club was founded in 1908 and competes in the Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition.-History:...
and represented Auckland
Auckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
.
He played in twenty four tests for the New Zealand Kiwis, including seven games at the 1954
1954 Rugby League World Cup
The first Rugby League World Cup was held in France in 1954 and officially known as the "Rugby World Cup". The prime motivators behind the idea of holding a rugby league world cup were the French, who were short of money following the seizing of their assets by the rugby union in World War II.The...
, 1957
1957 Rugby League World Cup
The second Rugby League World Cup was held in Australia in 1957. As before a group stage was held first, with matches being held at locations in Sydney and Brisbane....
and 1960 World Cups
1960 Rugby League World Cup
The 1960 Rugby League World Cup was the third staging of the tournament and the first Rugby league World Cup to be held in Great Britain. The same format as used in 1957 was used, with a group stage leading to a final table....
. After the 1957 World Cup Sorensen played for the Rest of the World against Australia.
Sorensen also represented the New Zealand Māori side
New Zealand Maori rugby league team
-See also:* New Zealand national rugby league team* New Zealand Māori rugby union team* New Zealand Māori cricket team-External links:* Google Books...
. He retired following the 1960 World Cup
1960 Rugby League World Cup
The 1960 Rugby League World Cup was the third staging of the tournament and the first Rugby league World Cup to be held in Great Britain. The same format as used in 1957 was used, with a group stage leading to a final table....
.
In 1963 Sorensen was player-coach for a New South Wales country team.
Coaching career
Sorensen was the AucklandAuckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
coach when they competed the grand slam in 1977, defeating Australia, France
France national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...
and Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
in a three week period.
He also served as a selector for the New Zealand Kiwis.
Legacy
He was made a life member of the New Zealand Rugby LeagueNew Zealand Rugby League
The New Zealand Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. The NZRL was founded on the 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year....
in 1991.
Sorensen died in 1996, leaving behind his widow Olga.
He was inducted into the New Zealand Rugby League
New Zealand Rugby League
The New Zealand Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. The NZRL was founded on the 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year....
's "Legends of League" in 2000.