Colin Farrell (rugby union)
{{Short description|New Zealand rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Colin Farrell
| birth_name = Colin Paul Farrell
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1956|3|19}}
| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand
| death_place =
| death_date =
| height = {{height|m=1.78}}
| weight = {{convert|76|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
| ru_position = Fullback
| repyears1 = 1977
| repteam1 = {{nrut|New Zealand}}
| repcaps1 = 2
| reppoints1 = 0
| ru_province1 = {{Rut|Auckland}}
| ru_provinceyears1 = 1974–81
| ru_provinceapps1 = 77
| ru_provincepoints1 =
| occupation =
| school = St Paul's College
}}
Colin Paul Farrell (born 19 March 1956) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A fullback, Farrell represented {{Rut|Auckland}} at a provincial level. He played two test matches for the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1977 against the touring British Lions side.
Playing career
Farrell was only a 17-year old when he first played for Suburbs in Auckland senior club rugby and in 1974, aged 18, he was selected in the Auckland provincial team. He also played for the New Zealand Colts side in 1976.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/player/colin-paul-farrell|title=Colin Paul Farrell | New Zealand Rugby History|first=VCS Websites (NZ)-Lower Hutt and Wellington|last=www.vcsnet.co.nz|website=www.rugbyhistory.co.nz}}
He played 77 games for Auckland from 1974 and 1981, including the following:
- 26-23 win and successful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Wellington in 1974
- 13-10 win over the 1976 Ireland tourists, scoring a try{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/game.php?gameId=9366|title=Rugby Database|website=www.rugbydatabase.co.nz}}
- 15-34 loss to the 1977 Lions{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/game.php?gameId=9348|title=Rugby Database|website=www.rugbydatabase.co.nz}}
- 9-3 win in a successful Ranfurly Shield match against North Auckland (1979)https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/game.php?gameId=13842
- 11-9 win over Counties in their 1979 Ranfurly Shield defence, scoring a try{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/game.php?gameId=13843|title=Rugby Database|website=www.rugbydatabase.co.nz}}
- 12-39 loss to the 1981 Springboks, scoring a try.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/game.php?gameId=8615|title=Rugby Database|website=www.rugbydatabase.co.nz}}
Farrell was a surprise selection in the All Black team, coached by Jack Gleeson, to play against the 1977 Lions. He was chosen on the recommendation of Bryan Williams. However, Farrell's test matches against the Lions did not go well for him and he was dropped from the team in favour of Bevan Wilson and never selected again.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/short-term-of-endearment/7BSARWFVUYEOKFYTKI4CGSTF54/|title=Short term of endearment - All Blacks News|date=3 July 2025|website=NZ Herald}}
Farrell later spent three years playing rugby for Parma in Italy before coaching at Rovigo and Parma.
His brother, Brian, represented Auckland in 1972 and 1974.{{Cite web|url=https://stats.allblacks.com/all-players|title=Colin Farrell|website=NZ Rugby Stats}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Farrell, Colin}}
Category:Rugby union players from Auckland
Category:People educated at St Paul's College, Auckland
Category:New Zealand international rugby union players
Category:New Zealand rugby union players
Category:Auckland rugby union players
Category:Rugby union fullbacks
Category:20th-century New Zealand sportsmen
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