Vale Jim Fisher

Canterbury Rugby League is mourning the loss of another of its most esteemed players, following the passing of Kiwi #423, Jim Fisher, aged 85.

The Linwood, Addington and Eastern Suburbs hooker-prop’s death comes just days after that of Canterbury and New Zealand teammate Mocky Brereton.

A New Zealand tourist to Australia as a Linwood prop in 1963, Jim Fisher returned from the international wilderness to earn a Test debut eight years later from Eastern Suburbs and feature at hooker during the 1971 Kiwis’ incredible march through Britain and France. He played eight Tests for his country.

The 1955-56 Schoolboy Kiwi debuted for Canterbury as an 18-year-old in 1960 and scored three tries in six matches for the Kiwis in Australia in 1963. Though he did not play any Tests on that trip, he scored tries in wins over North Coast and Toowoomba, as well as lining up opposite champion hooker Ian Walsh as New Zealand faced the all-conquering St George club combination.

Fisher featured in South Island’s win over the South African tourist later in 1963, and represented Canterbury against Australia (1965) and Great Britain (1966). He regularly captained his province including against NSW Country Firsts in 1965.

Following a stint with Addington, he moved to Eastern Suburbs and was captain-coach of the club when his Kiwi hiatus ended in 1971, having been persuaded to rescind his representative retirement in 1970.

To make his comeback even more remarkable, Fisher played in the final trial after two days bedridden with influenza. The 30-year-old took the place of Wellington hooker Colin O’Neil, who was the hooker in New Zealand’s previous 18 Tests but withdrew from the tour due to business commitments.

The oldest player in the touring party – whose imposing presence at 92kg was a key asset in the Lory Blanchard-coached side – Fisher ultimately played all six Tests on tour as the Kiwis created history with a 2-1 series victory over Great Britain and a 2-0 series win against France (the third Test in Toulouse was drawn).

He toured Australia again in 1972 and played both Tests but ruled himself out of contention for the end-of-season World Cup by retiring from representative football, also making the last of his 42 appearances for Canterbury that year.

Fisher later served as a Canterbury selector in 1975 and coached the provincial team in 1976.

Canterbury Rugby League extends its condolences to Jim’s family, friends and former teammates during this time.