# Grant Batty, All Blacks Legend, Dies at 78
A celebrated figure in New Zealand rugby, Grant batty, All Black No. 715, has died, leaving a legacy of bravery, skill, and unforgettable moments on the field. The news, shared this week by his wife, has been met with profound sadness throughout the rugby community.
Batty burst onto the scene with Wellington in 1970, quickly earning a place in an All Blacks trial after just five senior matches. Two years later, he made his test debut against Wales in Cardiff, marking the beginning of a distinguished international career.
His most iconic moment arguably came against the british and irish Lions in Wellington. Despite suffering a crippling knee injury, Batty intercepted a pass from Trefor Evans and powered more than 50 meters to score, securing a 16-12 victory for the All Blacks. This try was among his three personal favorites from a career that saw him score 45 tries for New Zealand. He also fondly recalled tries against the Barbarians in 1973 and NSW in Sydney in 1970.
A Career Cut Short by Injury
Table of Contents
A devastating knee injury ultimately forced Batty’s retirement from playing at the young age of 25. Despite the premature end to his rugby career, his impact remained significant.
Former All Black Ian Kirkpatrick,a close friend and teammate,expressed shock at the news of Batty’s passing. The pair maintained a strong bond throughout the years and had been in recent contact. A photograph from a fundraising luncheon in Auckland shows Kirkpatrick alongside Batty and fellow All Blacks star Sir Bryan Williams.
Wellington Rugby Mourns a “Feisty Dynamo”
Wellington rugby chief executive Tony Giles described Batty’s death as “tremendously sad news.” he emphasized Batty’s integral role in the history of Wellington Rugby, noting how he “punched above his weight” to become a world-class athlete and made countless Wellingtonians proud. The Marist St Pats community, in particular, is expected to deeply feel his loss.
In 2014, Herald rugby reporter Wynne Gray included Batty in his list of the 100 Greatest All Blacks, labeling him a “feisty dynamo.” Gray recalled how Batty, a “whizz-kid” in school, was identified as a promising player early in his career. He noted that Batty initially played further out in the Wellington backline, frequently enough targeted by opponents, but his career truly took off when he was moved to the wing for the NZ Juniors tour of Australia in 1972.
Beyond the Field: Superstars Champion and Coach
Batty’s competitive spirit extended beyond rugby. after retiring from the sport, he dominated the NZ Superstars series, winning the competition three years consecutively. he later moved to Queensland,Australia,where he transitioned into coaching,sharing his expertise with a new generation of athletes.
Those who knew him remember Batty’s distinctive personality – his extraordinary acceleration and braking power, his confident walk, his signature “Zapata moustache,” and his famously speedy temper. As one observer put it, he was “entertainment plus, a bristling powder keg who loved to mix it and drew
…it and drew considerable attention from opposing players.” Batty died peacefully in Queensland, surrounded by his family.His passing marks the end of an era for New Zealand rugby, but his spirit and
