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Former All Black, Counties Manukau great Robert Kururangi dies aged 69

A key figure in Counties’ sole first-division NPC title win has died aged 69.

Published: Tuesday, 6 October 2026 at 4:00 PM
Former All Black, Counties Manukau great Robert Kururangi dies aged 69
Key Things to Know
  • Former All Blacks and Counties Manukau winger Robert Kururangi has died at age 69.
  • Kururangi scored 48 tries across 91 games for Counties, winning the 1979 NPC first division title.
  • He played eight matches and scored four tries for the All Blacks during their 1978 tour.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Former All Blacks and Counties Manukau winger Robert Kururangi has passed away at the age of 69 on September 30. Counties Manukau Rugby honored the late player with a moment of silence and black armbands prior to their recent Ranfurly Shield defense against Hawke’s Bay, stating his legacy will never be forgotten.

Kururangi represented the All Blacks in eight tour matches during 1978 and scored 48 tries in 91 appearances for Counties between 1977 and 1984. He was an integral member of the 1979 squad that secured the province's sole first-division National Provincial Championship title, and he also featured on the 1982 New Zealand Māori tour.

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