Eric Boggs was my headmaster when I attended Maungwhau Primary School Mt Eden, Auckland. For a very short period of time (way before I was born and before she met my dad) he dated my mother. My mum said she went out with him on 'a few occasions'. He was a great teacher and I remember him vividly.
Below is a bio which I found on an All Black site so I take no credit for it.
Eric Boggs has been, for much of his long career in rugby, one of the more outspoken and controversial figures in the game. A winger with real pace and class, good enough to play for the Kiwi Army team and the All Blacks, he was a heavy try-scorer for Ponsonby and Auckland before his playing days ended in 1950. Later, he coached both club and province, ruffling feathers along the way, but normally getting results.
Eric George Boggs was born in Whangarei on March 28,1922 and first appeared in Auckland rugby for the old Training College club. In the early years of the war, players were coming and going at a great rate, and the 19-year-old soon stood out with his powerful, hard running. During the limited war-time programme. Boggs was a first-choice selection and one of the leading try-scorers.
Joining the army, he appeared for various service teams while still in New Zealand; the Countess of Ranfurly's Own (now remembered only by those with long memories and trivia buffs) in 1942, and Army in 1943. He also played for Wellington in 1943, during a posting to Trentham, before he headed overseas. He was back at the end of 1944 and had one game for Auckland. In 1945 he was in Europe.
One of the notable figures of the trials for the 2nd NZEF team (the Kiwis), he made 22 appearances for this famous combination and continued dotting down at a good rate, picking up 15 tries along the way. All four wingers - Boggs, Bill Meates, Wally Argus and Jim Sherratt - were of the highest class, so competition for places was always fierce. The first three were post-war All Blacks, while Sherratt, the oldest of the group, was one of the stars of the tour.
The Kiwis played five matches in New Zealand in 1946 before disbanding;
Boggs played in three and showed good form. Auckland selector Fred Lucas thought enough of him to break up his established backline, and was duly rewarded with several excellent tries. Boggs was commended for his pace and skill, special mention being made of his ability to beat his man on the outside, while he was 'always looking for the unorthodox'.
He didn't make the North Island team but did play the second test against Australia, where he had the unenviable task of looking after Charlie Eastes, the flying Aussie who was the Kirwan of his day. Eastes scored one try and gave Boggs all kinds of trouble (this was by no means unique to Boggs; as Eastes gave everyone all kinds of trouble), but the All Blacks scraped home, 14-10, mainly thanks to Bob Scott's kicking.
Boggs spent the next two years playing mainly for Auckland, where 'his determination and cleverness made him a constant source of danger to the opposition'. The 1948 season was one of his best and there was little doubt he would be in the touring party for South Africa. He had played a big part in Ponsonby's championship blitz, running in 20 tries, an Auckland record, and scoring in most of his matches. Ponsonby was strong, Auckland was strong, both teams gave the ball plenty of air and a winger of Boggs' class was bound to benefit.
The South African tour of 1949 wasn't a memorable experience. As is well known, the team record wasn't great and the Ponsonby winger was restricted by injury to only seven appearances, including the first test. The pressure applied to the backs throughout the tour meant he scored only one try, the most miserable return for a season's work in his career. He played two further matches for Auckland in 1950, and then left rep rugby with a record of 38 tries in 42 games for the province.
Boggs couldn't stay away from the game and soon returned as Ponsonby coach, a position he held on and off for years. He took the seniors to Gallaher Shield success in 1954, to Japan in 1968 and many varied experiences in between. He was selector-coach of Auckland as early as 1953, when he and Johnny Simpson were two of the youngest selectors the province has ever had, and again from 1973 to 1977. Despite several nominations in the intervening twenty years, he had always been overlooked.
His second term in charge was notable for a Ranfurly Shield run, from 1974-76, a notorious curfew in 1973, after the team had been massacred in Christchurch, rows with players, most notably Andy Haden, and mixed results. A disciplinarian, as one would expect from a school teacher of his era, he sometimes appeared out of tune with the new generation of players, but his team could and did win big games.
A willing worker on the Ponsonby committee during the 50s and 60s, despite occasional periods of ill-health, Boggs maintained close connections with the club for 25 years. If Ponsonby ever needed a coach, particularly at senior level, he would often step into the breach at short notice, and then probably remain in charge for the next four years. While always capable of polarising opinions, there is no doubt that Eric Boggs has been a rugby stalwart, to the benefit of both Ponsonby and Auckland.
Weighing 12st. 12lb (82kg) and standing 5'10" (1.78m) at the time of the South African tour Boggs finished his teaching career as Headmaster of the Manukau Intermediate School. He was selector of the NZ Teachers' team 1972 and was honoured with the QSM in 1980.
Profile courtesy Ponsonby District Rugby Football Club.
Below is a bio which I found on an All Black site so I take no credit for it.
Eric Boggs has been, for much of his long career in rugby, one of the more outspoken and controversial figures in the game. A winger with real pace and class, good enough to play for the Kiwi Army team and the All Blacks, he was a heavy try-scorer for Ponsonby and Auckland before his playing days ended in 1950. Later, he coached both club and province, ruffling feathers along the way, but normally getting results.
Eric George Boggs was born in Whangarei on March 28,1922 and first appeared in Auckland rugby for the old Training College club. In the early years of the war, players were coming and going at a great rate, and the 19-year-old soon stood out with his powerful, hard running. During the limited war-time programme. Boggs was a first-choice selection and one of the leading try-scorers.
Joining the army, he appeared for various service teams while still in New Zealand; the Countess of Ranfurly's Own (now remembered only by those with long memories and trivia buffs) in 1942, and Army in 1943. He also played for Wellington in 1943, during a posting to Trentham, before he headed overseas. He was back at the end of 1944 and had one game for Auckland. In 1945 he was in Europe.
One of the notable figures of the trials for the 2nd NZEF team (the Kiwis), he made 22 appearances for this famous combination and continued dotting down at a good rate, picking up 15 tries along the way. All four wingers - Boggs, Bill Meates, Wally Argus and Jim Sherratt - were of the highest class, so competition for places was always fierce. The first three were post-war All Blacks, while Sherratt, the oldest of the group, was one of the stars of the tour.
The Kiwis played five matches in New Zealand in 1946 before disbanding;
Boggs played in three and showed good form. Auckland selector Fred Lucas thought enough of him to break up his established backline, and was duly rewarded with several excellent tries. Boggs was commended for his pace and skill, special mention being made of his ability to beat his man on the outside, while he was 'always looking for the unorthodox'.
He didn't make the North Island team but did play the second test against Australia, where he had the unenviable task of looking after Charlie Eastes, the flying Aussie who was the Kirwan of his day. Eastes scored one try and gave Boggs all kinds of trouble (this was by no means unique to Boggs; as Eastes gave everyone all kinds of trouble), but the All Blacks scraped home, 14-10, mainly thanks to Bob Scott's kicking.
Boggs spent the next two years playing mainly for Auckland, where 'his determination and cleverness made him a constant source of danger to the opposition'. The 1948 season was one of his best and there was little doubt he would be in the touring party for South Africa. He had played a big part in Ponsonby's championship blitz, running in 20 tries, an Auckland record, and scoring in most of his matches. Ponsonby was strong, Auckland was strong, both teams gave the ball plenty of air and a winger of Boggs' class was bound to benefit.
The South African tour of 1949 wasn't a memorable experience. As is well known, the team record wasn't great and the Ponsonby winger was restricted by injury to only seven appearances, including the first test. The pressure applied to the backs throughout the tour meant he scored only one try, the most miserable return for a season's work in his career. He played two further matches for Auckland in 1950, and then left rep rugby with a record of 38 tries in 42 games for the province.
Boggs couldn't stay away from the game and soon returned as Ponsonby coach, a position he held on and off for years. He took the seniors to Gallaher Shield success in 1954, to Japan in 1968 and many varied experiences in between. He was selector-coach of Auckland as early as 1953, when he and Johnny Simpson were two of the youngest selectors the province has ever had, and again from 1973 to 1977. Despite several nominations in the intervening twenty years, he had always been overlooked.
His second term in charge was notable for a Ranfurly Shield run, from 1974-76, a notorious curfew in 1973, after the team had been massacred in Christchurch, rows with players, most notably Andy Haden, and mixed results. A disciplinarian, as one would expect from a school teacher of his era, he sometimes appeared out of tune with the new generation of players, but his team could and did win big games.
A willing worker on the Ponsonby committee during the 50s and 60s, despite occasional periods of ill-health, Boggs maintained close connections with the club for 25 years. If Ponsonby ever needed a coach, particularly at senior level, he would often step into the breach at short notice, and then probably remain in charge for the next four years. While always capable of polarising opinions, there is no doubt that Eric Boggs has been a rugby stalwart, to the benefit of both Ponsonby and Auckland.
Weighing 12st. 12lb (82kg) and standing 5'10" (1.78m) at the time of the South African tour Boggs finished his teaching career as Headmaster of the Manukau Intermediate School. He was selector of the NZ Teachers' team 1972 and was honoured with the QSM in 1980.
Profile courtesy Ponsonby District Rugby Football Club.
Eric Boggs was my headmaster when I attended Maungwhau Primary School Mt Eden, Auckland. For a very short period of time (way before I was born and before she met my dad) he dated my mother. My mum said she went out with him on 'a few occasions'. He was a great teacher and I remember him vividly.
Below is a bio which I found on an All Black site so I take no credit for it.
Eric Boggs has been, for much of his long career in rugby, one of the more outspoken and controversial figures in the game. A winger with real pace and class, good enough to play for the Kiwi Army team and the All Blacks, he was a heavy try-scorer for Ponsonby and Auckland before his playing days ended in 1950. Later, he coached both club and province, ruffling feathers along the way, but normally getting results.
Eric George Boggs was born in Whangarei on March 28,1922 and first appeared in Auckland rugby for the old Training College club. In the early years of the war, players were coming and going at a great rate, and the 19-year-old soon stood out with his powerful, hard running. During the limited war-time programme. Boggs was a first-choice selection and one of the leading try-scorers.
Joining the army, he appeared for various service teams while still in New Zealand; the Countess of Ranfurly's Own (now remembered only by those with long memories and trivia buffs) in 1942, and Army in 1943. He also played for Wellington in 1943, during a posting to Trentham, before he headed overseas. He was back at the end of 1944 and had one game for Auckland. In 1945 he was in Europe.
One of the notable figures of the trials for the 2nd NZEF team (the Kiwis), he made 22 appearances for this famous combination and continued dotting down at a good rate, picking up 15 tries along the way. All four wingers - Boggs, Bill Meates, Wally Argus and Jim Sherratt - were of the highest class, so competition for places was always fierce. The first three were post-war All Blacks, while Sherratt, the oldest of the group, was one of the stars of the tour.
The Kiwis played five matches in New Zealand in 1946 before disbanding;
Boggs played in three and showed good form. Auckland selector Fred Lucas thought enough of him to break up his established backline, and was duly rewarded with several excellent tries. Boggs was commended for his pace and skill, special mention being made of his ability to beat his man on the outside, while he was 'always looking for the unorthodox'.
He didn't make the North Island team but did play the second test against Australia, where he had the unenviable task of looking after Charlie Eastes, the flying Aussie who was the Kirwan of his day. Eastes scored one try and gave Boggs all kinds of trouble (this was by no means unique to Boggs; as Eastes gave everyone all kinds of trouble), but the All Blacks scraped home, 14-10, mainly thanks to Bob Scott's kicking.
Boggs spent the next two years playing mainly for Auckland, where 'his determination and cleverness made him a constant source of danger to the opposition'. The 1948 season was one of his best and there was little doubt he would be in the touring party for South Africa. He had played a big part in Ponsonby's championship blitz, running in 20 tries, an Auckland record, and scoring in most of his matches. Ponsonby was strong, Auckland was strong, both teams gave the ball plenty of air and a winger of Boggs' class was bound to benefit.
The South African tour of 1949 wasn't a memorable experience. As is well known, the team record wasn't great and the Ponsonby winger was restricted by injury to only seven appearances, including the first test. The pressure applied to the backs throughout the tour meant he scored only one try, the most miserable return for a season's work in his career. He played two further matches for Auckland in 1950, and then left rep rugby with a record of 38 tries in 42 games for the province.
Boggs couldn't stay away from the game and soon returned as Ponsonby coach, a position he held on and off for years. He took the seniors to Gallaher Shield success in 1954, to Japan in 1968 and many varied experiences in between. He was selector-coach of Auckland as early as 1953, when he and Johnny Simpson were two of the youngest selectors the province has ever had, and again from 1973 to 1977. Despite several nominations in the intervening twenty years, he had always been overlooked.
His second term in charge was notable for a Ranfurly Shield run, from 1974-76, a notorious curfew in 1973, after the team had been massacred in Christchurch, rows with players, most notably Andy Haden, and mixed results. A disciplinarian, as one would expect from a school teacher of his era, he sometimes appeared out of tune with the new generation of players, but his team could and did win big games.
A willing worker on the Ponsonby committee during the 50s and 60s, despite occasional periods of ill-health, Boggs maintained close connections with the club for 25 years. If Ponsonby ever needed a coach, particularly at senior level, he would often step into the breach at short notice, and then probably remain in charge for the next four years. While always capable of polarising opinions, there is no doubt that Eric Boggs has been a rugby stalwart, to the benefit of both Ponsonby and Auckland.
Weighing 12st. 12lb (82kg) and standing 5'10" (1.78m) at the time of the South African tour Boggs finished his teaching career as Headmaster of the Manukau Intermediate School. He was selector of the NZ Teachers' team 1972 and was honoured with the QSM in 1980.
Profile courtesy Ponsonby District Rugby Football Club.
Below is a bio which I found on an All Black site so I take no credit for it.
Eric Boggs has been, for much of his long career in rugby, one of the more outspoken and controversial figures in the game. A winger with real pace and class, good enough to play for the Kiwi Army team and the All Blacks, he was a heavy try-scorer for Ponsonby and Auckland before his playing days ended in 1950. Later, he coached both club and province, ruffling feathers along the way, but normally getting results.
Eric George Boggs was born in Whangarei on March 28,1922 and first appeared in Auckland rugby for the old Training College club. In the early years of the war, players were coming and going at a great rate, and the 19-year-old soon stood out with his powerful, hard running. During the limited war-time programme. Boggs was a first-choice selection and one of the leading try-scorers.
Joining the army, he appeared for various service teams while still in New Zealand; the Countess of Ranfurly's Own (now remembered only by those with long memories and trivia buffs) in 1942, and Army in 1943. He also played for Wellington in 1943, during a posting to Trentham, before he headed overseas. He was back at the end of 1944 and had one game for Auckland. In 1945 he was in Europe.
One of the notable figures of the trials for the 2nd NZEF team (the Kiwis), he made 22 appearances for this famous combination and continued dotting down at a good rate, picking up 15 tries along the way. All four wingers - Boggs, Bill Meates, Wally Argus and Jim Sherratt - were of the highest class, so competition for places was always fierce. The first three were post-war All Blacks, while Sherratt, the oldest of the group, was one of the stars of the tour.
The Kiwis played five matches in New Zealand in 1946 before disbanding;
Boggs played in three and showed good form. Auckland selector Fred Lucas thought enough of him to break up his established backline, and was duly rewarded with several excellent tries. Boggs was commended for his pace and skill, special mention being made of his ability to beat his man on the outside, while he was 'always looking for the unorthodox'.
He didn't make the North Island team but did play the second test against Australia, where he had the unenviable task of looking after Charlie Eastes, the flying Aussie who was the Kirwan of his day. Eastes scored one try and gave Boggs all kinds of trouble (this was by no means unique to Boggs; as Eastes gave everyone all kinds of trouble), but the All Blacks scraped home, 14-10, mainly thanks to Bob Scott's kicking.
Boggs spent the next two years playing mainly for Auckland, where 'his determination and cleverness made him a constant source of danger to the opposition'. The 1948 season was one of his best and there was little doubt he would be in the touring party for South Africa. He had played a big part in Ponsonby's championship blitz, running in 20 tries, an Auckland record, and scoring in most of his matches. Ponsonby was strong, Auckland was strong, both teams gave the ball plenty of air and a winger of Boggs' class was bound to benefit.
The South African tour of 1949 wasn't a memorable experience. As is well known, the team record wasn't great and the Ponsonby winger was restricted by injury to only seven appearances, including the first test. The pressure applied to the backs throughout the tour meant he scored only one try, the most miserable return for a season's work in his career. He played two further matches for Auckland in 1950, and then left rep rugby with a record of 38 tries in 42 games for the province.
Boggs couldn't stay away from the game and soon returned as Ponsonby coach, a position he held on and off for years. He took the seniors to Gallaher Shield success in 1954, to Japan in 1968 and many varied experiences in between. He was selector-coach of Auckland as early as 1953, when he and Johnny Simpson were two of the youngest selectors the province has ever had, and again from 1973 to 1977. Despite several nominations in the intervening twenty years, he had always been overlooked.
His second term in charge was notable for a Ranfurly Shield run, from 1974-76, a notorious curfew in 1973, after the team had been massacred in Christchurch, rows with players, most notably Andy Haden, and mixed results. A disciplinarian, as one would expect from a school teacher of his era, he sometimes appeared out of tune with the new generation of players, but his team could and did win big games.
A willing worker on the Ponsonby committee during the 50s and 60s, despite occasional periods of ill-health, Boggs maintained close connections with the club for 25 years. If Ponsonby ever needed a coach, particularly at senior level, he would often step into the breach at short notice, and then probably remain in charge for the next four years. While always capable of polarising opinions, there is no doubt that Eric Boggs has been a rugby stalwart, to the benefit of both Ponsonby and Auckland.
Weighing 12st. 12lb (82kg) and standing 5'10" (1.78m) at the time of the South African tour Boggs finished his teaching career as Headmaster of the Manukau Intermediate School. He was selector of the NZ Teachers' team 1972 and was honoured with the QSM in 1980.
Profile courtesy Ponsonby District Rugby Football Club.
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