Ian Campbell (rugby player)

Ian Campbell (born 15 May 1928) is a Chilean former rugby union footballer, of Scottish descent. He played as a fly-half and a centre. To this day, he is still considered one of the best Chilean rugby players of all time, and was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2012.

For other uses, see Ian Campbell (disambiguation).
Ian Campbell
Date of birth (1928-05-15) May 15, 1928
Place of birthSantiago, Chile
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half, Centre
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1948–1961 CHL

His father, Colin Campbell, was a Scottish-born emigrant, businessman and amateur football player, who had played for Chile in the 1910 South American Championship.[1]

Ian Campbell followed in the rugby footsteps of his older brother Donald Campbell, a Chile international who had been killed in action in 1944 while serving with the Royal Air Force,[2] after the war. The younger Campbell began playing rugby at the Saint Peter's School, in Valparaíso. He went to play for Prince of Wales Country Club, where he was also the captain.

He was capped for the first time for Chile, on 5 September 1948[3] in a historical 21–3 win over Uruguay, in Buenos Aires. In fact, he never lost to the "Teros", when he played at the Chilean side, for the next 13 years. Campbell best results were the runners-up title at the South American Championship, for three times, in 1951, 1958 and 1961. This last time, Chile lost narrowly to archi-rivals Argentina by 11–6, with Campbell missing five penalties. Campbell was then called "the most skilful player in South America".

He left the National team the same year, but still played until the 1970s. After that he became a coach.

His grandson, Santiago Fuenzalida, was member of Chilean U-20 team for 2008 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy. He was killed in a car accident.[4]

In 2012, he was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame along with his brother Donald.[2]

References
  1. Chris Thau (15 May 2008). "Birthday accolade for father of Chilean rugby". IRB. Archived from the original on 10 September 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  2. "Chilean Rugby greats added to Hall of Fame" (Press release). International Rugby Board. 26 May 2012. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  3. https://www.world.rugby/news/31666
  4. Chile's extra motivation to secure JWRT crown


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