Leicester Malcolm Rutledge (born 12 April 1952) is a former New Zealand

rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...

player. A flanker, Rutledge represented Southland at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the

All Blacks The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks ( mi, Ōpango), represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. The team won the Rugby World Cup in 1987 ...

, from 1978 to 1980. He played 31 matches for the All Blacks including 13 internationals, and captained the side in one match, against Combined Services on the 1978 tour of Britain and Ireland. In the

2022 New Year Honours The 2022 New Year Honours are appointments by some of the 15 Commonwealth realms to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by citizens of those countries. The New Year Honours are awarded as part of the New Year celebrations ...

, Rutledge was appointed a

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order of merit in the New Zealand royal honours system. It was established by royal warrant on 30 May 1996 by Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have ren ...

, for services to rugby and the community.

References

1952 births Living people Rugby union players from Christchurch People educated at Riccarton High School New Zealand rugby union players New Zealand international rugby union players Southland rugby union players Rugby union flankers Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit {{NewZealand-rugbyunion-bio-1950s-stub