By Kelly Hamer | Posted: Thursday December 4, 2025
Timaru Boy’s has provided two All Black captains Jack Manchester and Archie Strang.
Waimate born Jack ( J E )Manchester led the NZ team to the British Isles in 1935 -36. He captained the All Blacks on 20 occasions in his 36 All Black appearances 1932 -1936. He played flanker most of his career.
Jack commenced at TBHS in 1922 and boarded at the school for 5 years. He was in the 1st XV in 1925 & 26. In the 1926 team assessment – ‘Back row. A raking forward who was good in the lineout’.
The 1935 -36 All Blacks found the tour to the British Isles a tougher proposition than the earlier teams. He was described as ‘a great lineout forward, a tireless worker in the rucks and very fast in the loose’
Jack Manchester was the winner of the Teschemaker Cup in 1935
After serving in WW II he coached Otago University 1947 – 1952. He died in Dunedin in 1983 and is buried in the Waimate Cemetery.
Archie (W A )Strang was born in Invercargill in 1906. He attended TBHS 1922 -1924. A talented sportsman he played 1st XI cricket and was three years in the 1st XV. He captained team in 1924. Archie was recognized as a fine defensive player and good goal kicker.
Archie played for South Canterbury as a half-back or first -five eight from 1925 -31. He captained South Canterbury on a West Coast tour in his first year out of school. His All Black career commenced in 1928 he was 21. Over the next three years he played 17 matches for the All Blacks including five internationals. He was regarded as a master tactician. A fellow All Black observed ‘ he was wonderful to play inside you, he always knew how to deliver the perfect ball.’ He captained the All Blacks to a 20-13 victory in his final test against Australia.
He was the winner of the Teschemaker Cup in 1931
At 24 years of age he called time on his rugby career to pursue a position as a stock agent. He later found time to coach Timaru HSOB and later was selector and coach in Tauranga.
He died in Tauranga in 1989 age 81, his ashes are buried at Pyes Pa Cemetery.
