WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Colin Meads, a famously tough All Blacks lock hailed as New Zealand's greatest rugby player of the 20th century, has died after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 81.

Probably one of the greatest achievements on the field came in 1966 when the touring British & Irish Lions went down to a combined Wanganui-King Country side 12-6. Colin Meads was in his prime as one ...

Colin Meads, center, in a match against France in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1968. He was a remorseless force of nature on the field. Rex Features, via Associated Press; thumbnail, Associated ...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Colin Meads, who is regarded as New Zealand's greatest rugby player, said Thursday he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

All Blacks great Sir Colin Meads, who was named as New Zealand's best rugby player of the 20th Century, dies of pancreatic cancer, aged 81.

Colin "Pinetree" Meads, pictured at the Waikete clubhouse, is a New Zealand legend. Picture: Tom Fordyce "Ah, the dirty play was part of the whole game," he tells me, with a wink.

Sir Colin 'Pinetree' Meads passed away today at the age of 81, a loss which will be mourned throughout the rugby-playing world.

Sir Colin Meads, who played 133 times for the All Blacks, including 55 Tests, was named by the New Zealand Rugby Union in 1999 as the All Blacks’ “Player of the Century”.

Colin Mead is a financial advisor in Baltimore, MD. He has been in practice for 16 years, the last 16 years at Morgan Stanley.

It is 50 years since the late, great Colin Meads became only the second All Black to be sent off in a Test match.

Sir Colin Meads received a standing ovation as the impressive 2.7 metre bronze sculpture was unveiled by the man himself and his brother Stan. As a pale and proud Meads stood in front of the ...

Former All Blacks lock Colin Meads, named as New Zealand's best player of the 20th Century, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, New Zealand Rugby said on Thursday.