Thomas Lynch (rugby, born 1927)


Thomas William Lynch was a New Zealand rugby union and rugby league footballer. He played three rugby union internationals for New Zealand in 1951, before switching codes and joining English club Halifax, for whom he made 188 appearances between 1951 and 1956.

Rugby union

A second five-eighth, Lynch represented and at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1951. He played ten matches for the All Blacks on their tour of Australia that year, including three internationals, scoring 27 points in all.

Rugby league

In November 1951, Lynch accepted a contract to play professional rugby league for the Halifax club in England. At the time, his signing fee of £5000 was a record for a New Zealand player paid by an English club. He played for Halifax until 1956, making 188 appearances, scoring 112 tries and nine goals.

Challenge Cup final appearances

Lynch played in Halifax's 4–all draw with Warrington in the 1954 Challenge Cup final during the 1953–54 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 24 April 1954, in front of a crowd of 81,841. He also played at centre in the 4–8 defeat by Warrington in the replay at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Wednesday 5 May 1954, in front of a record crowd of 102,575 or more.
He later played in the 2–13 defeat by St. Helens in the 1956 Challenge Cup final during the 1955–56 season at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 28 April 1956.

International honours

Lynch won four caps for Other Nationalities while at Halifax.

Legacy

Lynch's testimonial match at Halifax took place in 1956. He is a Halifax Hall of Fame inductee.

Death

Lynch died in Geraldine on 29 December 2006.