Mr William Leslie Davis (Bill) - Double International

Mr Davis attended Hastings Boys’ High School 1956-1959. He was a member of the school’s First XV for three years starting in 1957. In 1959 his last season for the school Mr Davis was named in the Hawke’s Bay Juniors.

A wing and centre, Mr Davis represented Hawke's Bay at a provincial level, and was a member of the All Blacks, from 1963 to 1970. He played 53 matches for the All Blacks including 11 Internationals. His test debut was on the 19th August 1967 against Australia in Wellington and his final test was the 8th August 1970 v South Africa in Cape Town. Mr Davis was the blade whose speed and subtle skills were noticed from an early age. He was cherry-picked from Hastings Boys’ High School as an 18-year old to turn out for the Magpies and also earned several All Black trials.

Mr Davis was quickly into action on his All Black test debut. He headed off on his international journey where his skills and speed were a constant menace. The Wallabies thought so in 1968 and when they tackled Davis in the final minutes without the ball, referee Kevin Crowe awarded the All Blacks a test-saving penalty try. He brought the balance, pace and vision which were not a regular backplay trait in those times. He was a durable tourist, playing many matches outside tests during the 1967 tour to the UK and the 1970 trip to South Africa before he retired from rugby to concentrate on softball.

Once his international rugby career ended the Taradale club rugby and softball player played international softball including two World Series from 1972-76 for New Zealand. He played in the 1976 Lower Hutt-hosted World Series which ended in the United States, Canada and New Zealand sharing title honours because of wet weather. The outfielder played in the longest match at a World Series, a 20 innings four hour and two minute tussle which saw the United States beat New Zealand 1-0.