Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 25, 2026

Lin Colling

George Lindsay Colling was a New Zealand rugby union player, coach and administrator. A halfback, Colling represented Otago and Auckland at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1972 and 1973. He played 21 matches for the All Blacks but did not appear in any internationals.

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Lin Colling
BornGeorge Lindsay Colling
(1946-08-27)27 August 1946
Cromwell, New Zealand
Died13 July 2003(2003-07-13) (aged 56)
Auckland, New Zealand
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight74 kg (163 lb)
SchoolCromwell District High School
Notable relativeBelinda Colling (niece)
Rugby union career
Position Halfback
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1967–1973 Otago
1974–1976 Auckland
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1972–1973 New Zealand 0 (0)

George Lindsay Colling (27 August 1946 – 13 July 2003) was a New Zealand rugby union player, coach and administrator. A halfback, Colling represented Otago and Auckland at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1972 and 1973. He played 21 matches for the All Blacks but did not appear in any internationals.1

Post-retirement life

Colling went on to coach Ponsonby alongside Bryan Williams,2 and also was an All Black selector in 1994.3 He also served on the board of the Auckland Rugby Union.4 Colling died of a brain tumour in Auckland in 2003.4

Personal life

Colling was married, and had two children. His niece, Belinda Colling, represented New Zealand in both basketball and netball.5

References

References

  1. Ponsonby District Rugby Football Club. "Lin Colling". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  2. Gifford, Phil (20 July 2003). "Southern man had true grit". Sunday Star Times.
  3. "Hits & misses: golden twins just keep powering on". New Zealand Herald. 19 July 2003. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  4. Pepperell, Susan (19 July 2003). "Colling 'gave his all to the game he loved'". Waikato Times. p. 13.
  5. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/former-all-black-lin-colling-dies/HDHV2FLBAIUFENCI4YIBVVS36I/