Frederick Richard Allen

Frederick Richard Allen

Frederick Richard Allen was born in Oamaru on 9 February 1920 and was educated at Phillipstown School. In World War Two he served as a lieutenant in the 27th Infantry Battalion. Immediately afterwards he toured Europe as a brilliant first five-eighth (fly-half) with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Popularly known as the Kiwis, they played 33 matches in France, Germany and the British Isles, including unofficial tests against England, Wales, Scotland and France. Fred Allen played in 28 of the fixtures and then stayed in Britain for a month, accepting invitations to play for the Barbarians against Swansea and as captain against Newport. When official tests resumed in New Zealand he captained the All Blacks in all six internationals played between 1946 and 1949. He played provincial rugby for Canterbury, Marlborough, Waikato and Auckland. He later became a distinguished coach for Auckland and between 1966 and 1968 for New Zealand when they were undefeated in 13 tests. In 2005 Fred Allen was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. In 2010 he was knighted. Sir Fred Allen died on 28 April 2012 aged 92.