All Black Kevin Skinner farewelled at requiem Mass

Tuesday, July 29th, 2014

All Black rugby hard-man of the 1950s Kevin Skinner was farewelled at a Catholic requiem Mass in Henderson in Auckland on July 25.

New Zealand rugby nobility were at Holy Cross Catholic Church to pay tribute to Skinner, who played 20 tests and 63 games for the All Blacks between 1949 and 1956.

Skinner died on July 21, aged 86.

A former national heavyweight boxing champion, his exploits against the 1956 Springboks became the stuff of legend.

Recalled to the All Blacks after two other New Zealand props suffered cracked ribs thanks to the ferocious Springbok front row, Skinner threw legendary punches which skittled Jaap Bekker and Chris Koch.

The All Blacks went on to complete their first ever series victory against South Africa.

In the book “Rugby Greats”, published in 1975, Skinner said comments and criticisms after the series got to him in the years immediately after 1956.

But eventually they became “water off a duck’s back”.

Skinner was taught by the Christian Brothers in Dunedin, before moving on to St Kevin’s College in Oamaru, where he displayed a keen interest in rugby and boxing.

The eulogy was delivered at Skinner’s funeral by fellow All Black great Bryan Williams.

All Black and Kiwi Sonny Bill Williams, who shared the rugby-boxing link with Skinner, tweeted about the death of the legend he took great delight in meeting in 2012.

“Kevin Skinner passed away today. Not just a great All Black but a great man. My thoughts go out to his wife and family. RIP brother,” Williams said.

Sources