This story was first published on Stuff.co.nz and has been republished with their permission.
Ray Cranch, who was the oldest living Kiwi international, has passed away at the age of 98.
The former Auckland prop and second-rower went on the Kiwis’ 1951-52 tour and will be remembered as one of league’s legendary figures, not just for his playing of the game, but the time he devoted to it afterward.
Cranch started playing league for the Parnell-based Akarana club in 1936 as a 13-year-old, before moving to Mt Albert.
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He fought for New Zealand in World War II and was involved in the battles in Monte Cassino in Italy.
He continued his love of league when he returned home after the war and helped Mt Albert to win the Fox Memorial in 1947 and then went on to score a try against NSWRL champions Balmain in a game between the two trophy-winning clubs.
After starring for Auckland and eventually captaining them, Cranch was selected in the Kiwis’ squad for their 1951-51 tour of Great Britain and France.
Cranch didn’t play a Test on the tour due to the depth in a Kiwis pack comprising of some of the New Zealand game’s greats, including Charlie McBride, Cliff Johnson, Frank Mulcare, Bill McLennan and Alister Atkinson.
Forced to retire with injury in 1954, Cranch turned to administration with his beloved Mt Albert club and the Auckland Rugby League.
He was a New Zealand Colts team manager and selector on a 1973 tour to Australia and served for more than 20 years as secretary-manager of the Auckland Leagues Club.
Cranch was made a NZRL life member in 2003 and became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2006.
Later in life, Cranch moved to the Sir Edmund Hillary Retirement Village in Remuera and proudly hung a Warriors flag on his door.
On Thursday, NZRL chief executive Greg Peters paid tribute to Cranch on Twitter.
“Last night we lost our oldest living Kiwi – Ray Cranch No.341 – a legend and a real gentleman who I had the privilege of meeting on a number of occasions,” Peters wrote.
“Thoughts and prayers with the Cranch family at this sad time.”
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