John McCullough (All Black)
Encyclopedia
John Francis McCullough, All Black and Taranaki rugby football
representative, was born on January 8, 1936, in Stratford, New Zealand
. He attended Stratford Technical High School, playing for the First XV 1952-1954, and went on from there to be selected to the Taranaki side. He alternated between first five-eighths and second five-eighths, weighing in at 75 kg and measuring 1.73 m high. McCullough was known for his good hands, his deft turn of speed and his strong defence .
McCullough was part of a Taranaki team that still holds a special place in the history of that province. He was part of the side that drew 3-all with the Springboks in 1956, as well as the successful Ranfurly Shield
triumph over Otago
in 1957 and the subsequent two-year possession of the shield. McCullough made his first All Black trial appearance in 1956, and in 1959 finally found the favour of the All Black selectors for the second, third and fourth tests against the touring British Lions, playing at first five-eighths.
McCullough was overlooked for the 1960 tour of South Africa
, however, and the 1959 matches proved to be the only games he played for the All Blacks. He was part of yet another successful Ranfurly Shield challenge when Taranaki beat Wellington
in 1963, and played a total of 94 games for his home province.
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
representative, was born on January 8, 1936, in Stratford, New Zealand
Stratford, New Zealand
Stratford is the only town in the central Taranaki district of Stratford District, New Zealand. It lies beneath the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki/Egmont, approximately half-way between New Plymouth and Hawera, near the geographic centre of the Taranaki region. The town has a population of...
. He attended Stratford Technical High School, playing for the First XV 1952-1954, and went on from there to be selected to the Taranaki side. He alternated between first five-eighths and second five-eighths, weighing in at 75 kg and measuring 1.73 m high. McCullough was known for his good hands, his deft turn of speed and his strong defence .
McCullough was part of a Taranaki team that still holds a special place in the history of that province. He was part of the side that drew 3-all with the Springboks in 1956, as well as the successful Ranfurly Shield
Ranfurly Shield
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
triumph over Otago
Otago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
in 1957 and the subsequent two-year possession of the shield. McCullough made his first All Black trial appearance in 1956, and in 1959 finally found the favour of the All Black selectors for the second, third and fourth tests against the touring British Lions, playing at first five-eighths.
McCullough was overlooked for the 1960 tour of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, however, and the 1959 matches proved to be the only games he played for the All Blacks. He was part of yet another successful Ranfurly Shield challenge when Taranaki beat Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
in 1963, and played a total of 94 games for his home province.