Lory Blanchard

David Lory Blanchard[3] MNZM (4 September 1924 – 1 January 2013) was a New Zealand rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played representative rugby league (RL) for New Zealand in the 1954 World Cup and coached them at the 1970 World Cup.[1]

For the American politician, see David Blanchard.

Lory Blanchard
Personal information
Full nameDavid Lory Blanchard
Born4 September 1924
Roxburgh, New Zealand
Died1 January 2013 (aged 88)
Christchurch, New Zealand
Playing information
Rugby union
PositionHooker
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1939 North Otago
1947–48 Canterbury
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Rugby league
PositionHooker, Prop
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Linwood (CRL)
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Canterbury
1949–55 South Island
1951–56 New Zealand 16 1 0 0 3
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
Linwood (CRL)
Representative
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1966–67 New Zealand 3 0 0 0 0
1969 New Zealand 2 1 0 1 50
1970–72 New Zealand 6 1 0 5 17
Source: [1][2]

Early years

Blanchard was born in Roxburgh on 4 September 1924, the son of David Blanchard and Doris Elizabeth Blanchard (née Lory) of Ettrick,[4] and grew up in Otago. He made his rugby union first class debut for North Otago in 1939, aged 15. During World War II he joined the Royal New Zealand Navy and served as a stoker on HMNZS Achilles.[5] After the war, Blanchard worked for the New Zealand Railways Department and played hooker for Sydenham. He was a Canterbury representative in 1947–48.[6]

Playing career

Blanchard then switched codes to rugby league. He played for the Linwood Keas and represented Canterbury and the South Island.[7] He represented New Zealand between 1951 and 1956, including at the 1954 World Cup.

Blanchard was selected to go on the 1955–56 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain and France.

He played in 63 matches, including sixteen test matches, for the Kiwis.

Coaching career

He retired in 1963, becoming a Canterbury selector. Blanchard became a New Zealand selector between 1967 and 1972, convening the panel between 1969 and 1972. Blanchard coached New Zealand on three occasions; between 1966 and 1967, in 1969 and between 1970 and 1972, including at the 1970 World Cup. He coached Linwood in the Canterbury Rugby League competition.[6] Between 1973 and 1975 Blanchard was President of the Canterbury Schoolboy Board of Control. He also served two years on the Canterbury Rugby League board.[7] In 1990, he returned to coaching and led the New Zealand Universities' side until 1993.[5]

Honours and awards

Blanchard was inducted into the New Zealand Rugby League's Legends of League in 2000.[8] In the 2002 Queen’s Birthday and Golden Jubilee Honours, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to rugby league and the community.[9] He was made a life member of the New Zealand Rugby League in 2008.[6]

Death

Blanchard died suddenly on New Year's Day, 2013, aged 88, survived by his wife, Lyndsay, and their five children.[10]

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. BLANCHARD, David Lory – 1951 – 56 Archived 23 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, nzleague.co.nz; accessed 22 September 2014.
  4. "Birth". Otago Daily Times. 8 September 1924. p. 6. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  5. "Blanchard gave lifetime's service to sport", stuff.co.nz, 5 January 2013; accessed 22 September 2014.
  6. "League legend Lory Blanchard honoured". The Press. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  7. Coffey, John. Canterbury XIII, Christchurch, 1987
  8. Legends of League Archived 23 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, nzleague.co.nz; accessed 22 September 2014.
  9. "Queen's Birthday and Golden Jubilee honours list 2002". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 3 June 2002. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  10. "League: Former Kiwi Lory Blanchard dies". Otago Daily Times. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Bill Telford		 Coach
New Zealand national rugby league team
1966–1967		 Succeeded by
Des Barchard
Preceded by
Des Barchard		 Coach
New Zealand national rugby league team
1969		 Succeeded by
Morrie Church
Preceded by
Morrie Church		 Coach
New Zealand national rugby league team
1970–1972		 Succeeded by
Des Barchard
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