Rick Muru

{{Short description|New Zealand international rugby league player (died 2020)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2019}}

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Rick Muru

|fullname = Wiremu Hira Muru[http://nzleague.co.nz/pages/kiwis_players.php?player=558&name=MURU,_Wiremu_Hira_(Rick) MURU, Wiremu Hira (Rick) (1980)] nzleague.co.nz

|nickname =

|image =

|image_size =

|caption =

|country =

|position = {{rlp|PR}}

|birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|69|2020|05|15|noage=1}}

|birth_place = New Zealand

|death_date = {{Death date and given age|2020|05|15|69|df=y}}

|death_place = Huntly, New Zealand

|height =

|weight = 115kg

|club1 = Taniwharau

|year1start =

|year1end =

|appearances1 =

|tries1 =

|goals1 =

|fieldgoals1 =

|points1 =

|teamA = Waikato

|yearAstart =

|yearAend =

|appearancesA =

|triesA =

|goalsA =

|fieldgoalsA =

|pointsA =

|teamB = New Zealand Māori

|yearBstart = 1975

|yearBend = 77

|appearancesB =

|triesB =

|goalsB =

|fieldgoalsB =

|pointsB =

|teamC = New Zealand

|yearCstart = 1980

|yearCend = 81

|appearancesC = 0

|triesC = 0

|goalsC = 0

|fieldgoalsC = 0

|pointsC = 0

|updated =

|source = {{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Rick-Muru/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}

|new = yes

}}

Wiremu Hira Muru ({{Birth based on age as of date|69|2020|05|15|noage=1}} – 15 May 2020), commonly known as Rick Muru, was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand.

Playing career

From Huntly, Muru played for the Taniwharau Rugby League Club in the Waikato Rugby League competition and represented Waikato. He also played for New Zealand Māori, including at the 1975 and 1977 Pacific Cups.

In 1980 Muru was selected to play for the New Zealand national rugby league team on their tour of Great Britain and France. He played in 5 games, scoring one try, but did not play in any of the test matches.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Later years

Muru was a member of the Tainui tribe and was a nephew of Robert Mahuta. Muru served as the chairman of the Waahi Marae Committee and was a board member of the Auckland Warriors when Tainui controlled the club.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=145786 Tainui elite 'acting in own interests'] New Zealand Herald, 27 July 2000[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=123216 Tainui asserts Maori pride in face of Lowe's criticism] New Zealand Herald, 2 March 2000

In 2015, he was named at prop in Taniwharau's team of their first 70 years.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/65740747/lance-hohaia-named-taniwharau-rugby-league-clubs-best|title=Lance Hohaia named Taniwharau rugby league club's best|author=AARON GOILE|date=3 February 2015|work=Stuff}}

Muru died at Waahi Pā, Huntly, on 15 May 2020, aged 69.{{cite news |url=https://notices.nzherald.co.nz/obituaries/nzherald-nz/obituary.aspx?n=wiremu-muru-ricky&pid=196211120 |title=Wiremu Muru death notice |date=20 May 2020 |work=New Zealand Herald |accessdate=20 May 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://nzrl.co.nz/the-passing-of-rick-muru/ |title=The passing of Rick Muru |date=18 May 2020 |publisher=New Zealand Rugby League |accessdate=20 May 2020}}

References