FRANCIS DAVID KILBY

REPRESENTED NEW ZEALAND: 1928, 32, 34 (18 matches, 4 Internationals)
Points for New Zealand: 10, 2 tries, 1 dropped go
Position: HALF-BACK
Born: Invercargill 24 April 1906
Died: Wellington 3 September 1985
Provincial Record: Southland 1925, 26 (Star)
Wellington 1927. 30-36 (Wellington)
Wanganui 1929 (Pirates)
Taranaki 1929 (Star)
North Island 1927, 31-33, 35
South Island 1926
NZ Trials 1927, 30, 35

Educated at Southland Boys High School, 1st XV 1921. 22. Joined the Southland team 1925 as a 19 year-old and in the following season played for the South Island. Moving to Wellington he was chosen for the North Island 1927. Following this inter-island match he was named in the team to tour South Africa 1928. A broken ankle-bone restricted his appearances on this tour to five. Captained the 1932 and 1934 All Blacks on tours to Australia, playing in all three Tests on the first visit while an injury prevented him taking the field in the First Test of the latter tour. Also led the North Island 1932, 33, 35 after which he announced his retirement. Described as ‘showing up brilliantly, especially when playing behind heavy forwards. In defence he has a wonderful sense of anticipation.’ Kilby stood 5’ 6” and his playing weight was around 11 stone. He was considered unlucky by some critics to have missed out on selection for the 1935-36 touring team. In subsequent years he built up an impressive record in Rugby administration including: Wairarapa RFU management committee 1944, 45; Auckland selector 1951, 52; NZRFU executive 1955-74. Manager of the NZ Maoris to Australia 1958 and the 1963-64 New Zealand team in Britain. Elected life member of the NZRFU 1976. Also represented Southland at cricket, Frank Kilby was a bank manager.