Nelson Ball (rugby union)

Nelson "Kelly" Ball (11 October 1908 – 9 May 1986) was a New Zealand rugby union player. A wing, Ball represented Wanganui and Wellington at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1931 to 1936. He played 22 matches for the All Blacks including five internationals.[1]

Nelson Ball
Nelson in 1935
Date of birth(1908-10-11)11 October 1908
Place of birthFoxton, New Zealand
Date of death9 May 1986(1986-05-09) (aged 77)
Place of deathDurban, South Africa
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight68 kg (150 lb)
SchoolFeilding Agricultural High School
Notable relative(s)Murray Ball (son)
Bill Francis (cousin)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1927–29 Wanganui ()
1930–35 Wellington ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1931–36 New Zealand 5 (12)

Nelson Ball passport application (1935)

Ball moved to South Africa in 1948 and lived there for the rest of his life.[1] He was the father of New Zealand cartoonist Murray Ball,[1] and a first cousin of Bill Francis, who played for the All Blacks between 1913 and 1914.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Knight, Lindsay. "Nelson Ball". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  2. ^ Knight, Lindsay. "Bill Francis". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 20 March 2018.