Ronald Bryers

Ronald Frederick Bryers (Ron) (14 November 1919 – 20 August 1987) was a New Zealand rugby union player. He was a lock, but in his early career was in the backs and was a loose forward. He played one match for New Zealand, against Australia in the first test in 1949.[1]

Date of birth	(1919-11-14)14 November 1919
Place of birth	Raetihi, New Zealand
Date of death	20 August 1987(1987-08-20) (aged 67)
Place of death	Tauranga, New Zealand
School	Ohakune District High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1946 King Country () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1949 New Zealand 1 (0)

Bryers was born in Raetihi and educated at Ohakune District High School. He enlisted in the New Zealand Army in World War II; he was then a teacher living in the Bulls Schoolhouse. He served in the 34th Battalion, and played in service games.[2]

In 1946, he played for the New Zealand Māori against Australia. As a Māori, he could not be selected for the 1949 tour of South Africa so played against Australia instead. He retired as headmaster of Mount Maunganui primary school, and died in Tauranga Hospital.[3]

He captained King Country.[1] He was a selector for the New Zealand Māori from 1957–58 and for Bay of Plenty from 1962–73.[1]

References

• "Ronald Bryers at All Blacks.com". New Zealand Rugby Union.

1. Palenski et al 2005, pp. 35,36. sfn error: no target: CITEREFPalenski_et_al2005 (help)
2. "Obituary" in the New Zealand Herald of 21 August 1987
3. "Obituary" in the Wanganui Chronicle of 22 August 1987

Bibliography

• Palenski, R., Chester, R., and McMillan, N., (2005). The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand Rugby (4th ed.). Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett. ISBN 1-86971-026-6