Bill Deacon

William George Deacon (22 February 1944 – 18 June 2019) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in the 1970 World Cup.[1]

Bill Deacon

Personal information
Full name	William George Deacon
Born	22 February 1944 Thames, New Zealand
Died	18 June 2019 (aged 75) Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Position	Second-row, Loose forward
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P Ngaruawahia Panthers 1973–1975 Wagga Wagga Magpies 1976–1992 Junee Diesels Turvey Park Lions Total 0 0 0 0 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P Waikato 1965–71 New Zealand 14 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]

Early life and family

Born in Thames on 22 February 1944, Deacon was the son of George Deacon and Olive Susie Deacon (née Abbott).[2] His uncle, Edwin Abbott, also played for the New Zealand Kiwis.[3]

Playing career

Deacon played for the Ngaruawahia Panthers in the Waikato Rugby League competition and represented Waikato.[4] He was first selected for the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1965. That year he was also named the New Zealand Rugby League player of the year.[5]

Deacon was included in the Kiwis squad for the 1970 World Cup and played his last test match for New Zealand in 1971. He finished his career having played in fourteen tests for New Zealand.[6]

Death

Deacon died in Australia on 18 June 2019.[7][8]

References

1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
2. "Births". New Zealand Herald. 24 February 1944. p. 1. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
3. Edwin Frederick ABBOTT, nzleague.co.nz
4. In Touch nzrl.co.nz, October 2011
5. Sky Rugby League Annual '98 New Zealand Rugby League, 1998
6. DEACON, William George - 1965 - 71 nzleague.co.nz
7. "The passing of Bill Deacon". New Zealand Rugby League. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
8. "William George (Bill) Deacon". New Zealand Herald. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2019.