Bill Meates (rugby union)

William Anthony Meates (26 May 1923 – 1 February 2003) was a New Zealand rugby union player, soldier and school teacher.

Bill Meates

Meates in 1949
Birth name	William Anthony Meates
Date of birth	(1923-05-26)26 May 1923
Place of birth	Greymouth, New Zealand
Date of death	1 February 2003(2003-02-01) (aged 79)
Place of death	Christchurch, New Zealand
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	93 kg (205 lb)
School	St Bede's College
University	Canterbury University College
Notable relative(s)	Kevin Meates (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing three-quarter All Black No. 496 Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1947 1948–50 Canterbury Otago 2 () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1949–50 New Zealand 7 (0)

He was born in Greymouth in 1923, and was an elder brother of Kevin Meates. He received his education at Marist Brothers' School and at St Bede's College in Christchurch. A wing three-quarter, Bill Meates represented Canterbury and Otago at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1949 and 1950. He played 20 matches for the All Blacks including seven internationals.[1]

Rejected for military service as an 18-year-old because of flat feet, Meates graduated from Christchurch Teachers' Training College in 1944. While there he served as vice-president of the student union, and his future wife Nancy was president. He was subsequently accepted for military service. However, by the time his contingent reached Egypt, Germany had surrendered.[2] Following the end of the war, he toured Britain and France with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force rugby team, known as the "Kiwis", playing in 13 matches.[1]

Back in New Zealand, worked as a teacher and studied at Canterbury University College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1954.[2][3] He taught at Aranui High School in Christchurch for 25 years, rising to deputy principal. As chairman of Sacred Heart Girls' College, he was influential in the integration of Catholic schools into the state system.[2]

With his wife Nancy, Meates had 10 children.[2] He died at Christchurch on 1 February 2003,[1] and was buried at Ruru Lawn Cemetery.[4]