Ron Don, a long-time rugby administrator and staunch supporter of the 1981 Springbok tour of New Zealand has died at the age of 86.
Mr Don served on the New Zealand Rugby Football Union Council from 1971-1979 and 1980-1986 and was the manager of the All Blacks in 1976 and 1977.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew described Mr Don as a vocal and passionate supporter of rugby saying that without people like him the game would not flourish.
Ron Don was made a life member of the NZRU in 1999. He played for the Grammar Club in Auckland in the 1940s and 1950s before moving into administration.
He was chairman of the Auckland Rugby Football Union from 1969 to1984, and held positions on the Eden Park Board of Control and more recently, the NZRU Appeal Council.
Mr Don also helped organise the inaugural Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 1987.
