Diack's had strong southern connection

'Tuppy' Diack's death last week in Dunedin, at 94, completed a connection with representative rugby in New Zealand that began in 1920.

The one-Test All Black wing, who was such a key performer for Otago from his debut in 1951, that he scored 706 points, including 53 tries when they were worth only three points, also played for Southland and New Zealand Universities.

When Otago beat the 1959 British & Irish Lions 28-6, it was three days after he had also played against them for New Zealand Universities, who were beaten 13-25. Against the Lions for the Universities, Diack scored two tries and kicked two conversions and a penalty goal – all of their points.

Then, for Otago, he kicked a conversion and four penalty goals for 14 points, 27 points in four days' play.

A product of Gore High School, where he was part of what is regarded as that school's finest 1st XV, a year in which it beat Southland Boys' High School and St Kevin's College, and was captained by fellow future All Black Robin Archer, he first attended High School at Napier Boys'.

He was also a New Zealand Brabin Cup cricket representative.

Diack selected New Zealand University teams from 1967-75 and was the coach when they toured in 1970.

‘Charlie’ Diack in 1980 at the Southland Boys’ High School reunion.

He played in different districts in New Zealand because his father, Charlie 'Ness' Diack, was, like 'Tuppy', a teacher. The pair represented New Zealand Universities and played for Southland and Otago.

Charlie Diack first came to light when playing for the Southland Boys' High School 1st XV with an outstanding final year in 1920.

He was included in the Southland side in 1921, but was kept from playing the touring South African side and given his debut in Southland's first Ranfurly Shield defence against Otago, Southland having relieved Wellington of the Shield at the end of the 1920 season.

He scored a try in Southland's 10-8 win. Southland then returned the favour by taking the Shield to Wellington, where the Capital City side reclaimed the trophy with a 28-13 win, Diack again scoring a try.

In 1923, he attended Otago University, winning a place on the provincial side. He was also selected for the NZ Universities tour to Australia, where he made five appearances and scored 35 points.

He returned to Southland in 1927, playing his last games in 1930, during which time he was also involved in Southland's Ranfurly Shield defences of that year. In his 61-game career, he scored 242 points.

But, in taking a teaching position in Marlborough, he played 16 games for that province before moving into coaching. It was a feature of his career that the sides he coached won the highest prize available in his first season.

In 1936, Marlborough won the Seddon Shield when he coached.

A year later, when he returned to Southland, he was asked to coach and select Southland and saw the side regain the Ranfurly Shield by beating Otago. He then saw Otago reclaim the prize in 1938, only for Southland to win it back at the end of the season.

As a result, Diack was one of the few rugby coaches who could claim to have seen his teams beat those coached by Otago's Vic Cavanagh more often than they lost.

'Tuppy' Diack's death ended a significant contribution to rugby, especially in the south.