Kevin Skinner (rugby union) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kevin Skinner

Skinner in 1951
Birth name	Kevin Lawrence Skinner
Date of birth	(1927-11-27)27 November 1927
Place of birth	Dunedin, New Zealand
Date of death	21 July 2014(2014-07-21) (aged 86)
Place of death	Auckland, New Zealand
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	97 kg (214 lb)
School	Christian Brothers High School St. Kevin's College
Notable relative(s)	Arthur Hughes (cousin)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop All Black No. 491 Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1945–55 1956 Dunedin Pirates Waiuku () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1947–54 1956 Otago Counties () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1949–56 New Zealand 20 (3)

Kevin Lawrence Skinner (born 27 November 1927 – died 21 July 2014) was a famous New Zealand rugby player and boxer. He played for the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby team, 20 times. He was even captain for two of those games. Kevin was also a champion heavyweight boxer, winning the New Zealand title in 1947.

Early Life and Sports Beginnings

Kevin Skinner was born in Dunedin, New Zealand. He went to Christian Brothers School and St. Kevin's College. At St. Kevin's, he played for the school's top rugby team, the First XV, in 1943 and 1944. He was the team's captain in 1944.

In 1945, Kevin played senior rugby for the Dunedin Pirates club as a "lock" position player. Besides rugby, Kevin was also a very talented boxer. He won the Otago heavyweight boxing championship in 1946. The next year, in 1947, he became the New Zealand heavyweight champion.

Rugby Career Highlights

Kevin started playing for the Otago rugby team in 1947. He played nine matches that year, helping the team win the Ranfurly Shield from Southland. He also played for the South Island team and continued to represent Otago in 1948.

Skinner played for Otago again from 1950 to 1954. Later, in 1956, he played for the Counties team. He was part of the South Island team every year from 1950 to 1953. Kevin also took part in trials to be selected for the New Zealand national team in 1948, 1950, 1951, and 1953. In 1956, he played in a special combined team against the Springboks from South Africa.

Playing for the All Blacks

Kevin Skinner was chosen to play for the All Blacks on their tour of South Africa in 1949. He continued to play for the All Blacks and was even captain during the 1952 series against Australia.

He also went on the 1953-54 All Blacks tour of Great Britain and France. On this tour, he played in 27 games, including all five important "test" matches. Kevin was considered one of the most important players on the team.

Skinner decided to retire from rugby at the end of the 1954 season. At that time, he had played 61 games for the All Blacks, matching a record set by Maurice Brownlie. However, he returned to play for the All Blacks one last time in 1956. He played in the final two test matches against South Africa, extending his record to 63 All Black appearances. New Zealand won both of those games.

Kevin Skinner is remembered as an amazing rugby player. People have called him "one of the very best props New Zealand has produced." A "prop" is a specific position in rugby. He was known for being good at lineouts, stopping opponents quickly, and being strong in the scrum. In 1996, he was honored by being added to the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.

Later Life and Passing

Kevin Skinner passed away in Auckland on 21 July 2014. Many people sent their thoughts and prayers, including another famous rugby player and boxer, Sonny Bill Williams.