Ron Farrell

Ronald Farrell (born 26 September 1939) is a former New Zealand rugby league representative player. He played at representative level for New Zealand, New Zealand Māori, Wellington, and at club level for the Watersiders.

He played an unbeaten record 81 games for Wellington.

Article by Bernie Wood

BLAST FROM THE PAST

RON FARRELL UNLUCKY NOT TO BE A KIWI

When a best ever Wellington team gets to be selected, may be in centennial year for Wellington in

1912, look for the name, Ron Farrell who got to wear a Kiwis jersey as a reserve, but is not listed as being a Kiwi. With 77 Kiwis to select from for a best ever Wellington team, Farrell would be the only non Kiwi,

but he would deserve his place on merit. In 1966 he was the Kiwis only reserve forward in the second test, at Carlaw Park, against the visiting Great Britain side, but he was not used and never wore the Kiwis Jersey in action.

For 13 years the Waterside, 5 ft 10ins, 14st, second row forward was a first choice for Wellington representative side. Superbly fit, he could most days of the week be seen running home from his place of employment on the Wellington waterfront, to his home in Titahi Bay, he was the dominant forward in Wellington club football from 1963 until his retirement in 1975 and always a first choice selection for his province.

With Farrell at the forefront, the now defunct Waterside club (established in 1945), won three premierships in 1966 and 1967 and again in 1975. The hard-working Maori forward started out as a loose forward and ended up in the front row. He established a record that still stands of making 81 appearance for his province.

HONOURS LIST OF APPEARANCES FOR WELLINGTON

Ron Farrell (Waterside) 81

Colin O'Neil (Marist) 74

John Whittaker (Randwick) 73

Nolan Tupaea (St George/Petone) 62

Findlay Rasmussen (Randwick) 57

Kevin Tamati (Petone/Upper Hutt) 52

Mike Kuiti (Upper Hutt) 51