| Full name | Keith Lawrence Skinner | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 27 November 1927 | ||
| Place of birth | Dunedin, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Weight | 97 kg (15 st 4 lb) | ||
| School | Christian Brothers High School, Dunedin and St. Kevin's College, Oamaru | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Prop | ||
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| Otago | |||
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1949 1956 |
All Blacks | (0) (3 tries) |
|
Kevin Lawrence Skinner (born Thursday, 24 November 1927) is a former All Black who played in 20 international tests for New Zealand, 2 of them as captain. He was also a heavy weight boxer, winning the New Zealand championship in 1947.[1]
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Skinner was born in Dunedin. He was educated at Christian Brothers School, Dunedin and St. Kevin's College, Oamaru where he played in the first XV in 1943 and 1944. He captained the side in the latter year. In 1945 he played senior rugby for the Dunedin Pirates as lock. As a boxer, Skinner won the Otago heavyweight championship in 1946 and won the New Zealand heavyweight title in 1947. In 1947, Skinner also played rugby in nine matches for Otago and was in the team when they defeated Southland to win the Ranfurly Shield. He also played in the South Island team and represented Otago again in 1948.[1]
Skinner played for Otago again in 1950-1954. He represented Counties in 1956 (from the Waiuku Club). He was in the South Island team in 1950-1953 9as well as in 1948). He participated in the New Zealand trials in 1948, 1950–1951 and 1953. He represented Bay of Plenty-Thames Valley-Counties in 1956.[2]
Skinner was selected for the 1949 All Black tour of South Africa. He continued playing for the All Blacks and was captain in the 1952 series against South Africa. However Bob Stuart (also an old boy of St. Kevin's College, Oamaru) was captain of the 1953/4 All Blacks in their tour of Great Britain and France. Skinner also went on that tour and played in 27 games including all five tests. He was one of the key players.[1]
Skinner retired at the end of the 1954 season but he played again for the All Blacks for the final two tests against South Africa in 1956. Both those tests were won by New Zealand. "Six foot tall (1.83m) and weighing 15st 4lb (97kg) Kevin Skinner, a skilled lineout No.2, expert rush stopper, strong scrummager and extremely mobile, remains one of the very best props New Zealand has produced."[1]