Mark Irwin (rugby union)

Mark William Irwin (10 February 1935 – 30 June 2018) was a New Zealand rugby union player. A prop, Irwin represented Otago, Poverty Bay, and Bay of Plenty at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1955 to 1960. He played 25 matches for the All Blacks including seven internationals.[1]

Mark Irwin

Irwin c. 1960
Birth name	Mark William Irwin
Date of birth	(1935-02-10)10 February 1935
Place of birth	Gisborne, New Zealand
Date of death	30 June 2018(2018-06-30) (aged 83)
Place of death	Rotorua, New Zealand
Height	1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	103 kg (227 lb)
School	Wanganui Collegiate School
University	University of Otago
Occupation(s)	Doctor
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop All Black No. 564 Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1953–60 1961 1962 Otago Poverty Bay Bay of Plenty 27 () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1955–60 New Zealand 7 (0)

Born in Gisborne, Irwin was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School where he was head boy, and played in the 1st XV rugby team from 1950 to 1952.[1][2] He went on to study medicine at the University of Otago, graduating MB ChB in 1961.[3] An accomplished rower, Irwin was in the eight nominated to represent New Zealand at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne; however, the crew did not make final selection.[1][2]

In his medical career, Irwin worked in Rotorua for over 40 years as a general practitioner and anaesthetist.[2]

Irwin died in Rotorua on 30 June 2018, aged 83.[4][5]

References

1. Knight, Lindsay. "Mark Irwin". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
2. "Our people: Mark Irwin". Rotorua Daily Post. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
3. "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: I–K". Shadows of Time. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
4. "Final whistle blows for former All Black Mark Irwin". New Zealand Herald. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
5. "Mark Irwin death notice". New Zealand Herald. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.