Grant Batty in action for the All Blacks. Photo: Photsport
Former All Blacks wing Grant Batty has died, aged 74.
At 1.65m (5ft 5in), Batty was known for his speed and pugnacious approach to the game, often physically confronting opponents far bigger than himself.
Born in Greytown on 31 August, 1951, 'Batts' burst into representative rugby with Wellington in 1970 and was selected as a bolter for a national trial at centre, but concussion in that match may have deprived him of selection for the tour of South Africa that year.
He eventually debuted on the All Blacks' 1972/73 northern hemisphere tour, playing his first test against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park.
Over the next five years, he would play 56 games for New Zealand, including 15 tests, scoring several audacious tries among his 45 for his country.
His highlights included a spectacular kick-and-chase try in a defeat to the Barbarians on that debut UK tour, while his final test outing saw him intercept a pass and run more than 50 metres to score against the British Lions at Wellington's Athletic Park in 1977.
His gamewinning try provided the perfect farewell to the black jersey. He was duly selected for the second test of that series, but announced his retirement before the team assembled in Christchurch.
Batty has been described as a "crowdpleaser" by former All Blacks teammate and close friend Joe Karam.
"Grant was a remarkable athlete and an absolute crowdpleaser," Karam said. "He was so little and small, but he was incredibly quick and elusive.
"He was fearless and he was probably one of the great wingers. Unfortunately, he hurt his knee very badly, so his career was cut short.
"He was 5 feet 5 tall, but when he played sport, you'd think he was a giant, he was so good at everything."
Karam first crossed paths with Batty in Wellington rugby circles. They played together for Marist St Pats and for the Wellington provincial side.
Karam fondly remembered lunchtime training sessions, when the men would leave their office jobs to work on their skills at Athletic Park.
"He came from Greytown, he went to Kuranui College, he was a sports star as a swimmer, runner and a rugby player.
"It's a terrible shock to me, because if ever you saw a person who was fit and healthy and dynamic, and looked like he would live to 100, it was Grant.
"We were great friends and he was a fantastic teammate. He was dynamic on the field and he was a ball of fire off the field too.
"He was a non-stop guy, always having a lot of fun, a great character all round."
Batty's career ended prematurely at 25, due to a crippling knee injury that he carried through the final two years. He played 102 first-class games and scored 109 tries, representing Wellington and Bay of Plenty.
After his retirement, he won the TV multi-sport competition Superstars three years in a row, before moving to Australia and coaching within the Queensland programme.
Batty also coached Japan Top League team Yamaha Jubilo, now known as Shizukoa Blues Revs.
More to come
