Tane Norton

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Tane Norton

| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM|size=100%}}

| image = Tane Norton (crop).jpg

| caption = Norton in 2017

| birth_name = Rangitane Will Norton

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1942|03|30|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Waikari, New Zealand

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2023|08|04|1942|03|30|df=yes}}

| death_place = Christchurch, New Zealand

| school = Methven District High School

| height = {{height|m=1.83|precision=0}}

| weight = {{convert|87|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}

| position = Hooker

| repteam1 = New Zealand Māori

| repteam2 = New Zealand

| repyears1 = 1969–1977

| repyears2 = 1971–1977

| repcaps1 =

| repcaps2 = 27

| reppoints1 =

| reppoints2 = 0

| province1 = Mid Canterbury

| province2 = Canterbury

| provinceyears1 = 1961–

| provinceyears2 = 1969–

| provinceapps1 =

| provinceapps2 = 82

| provincepoints1 =

}}

Rangitane Will Norton {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM}} (30 March 1942 – 4 August 2023), commonly known as Tane Norton, was a New Zealand rugby union player. He played at the hooker position. He played for Linwood before he first represented {{Rut|Canterbury}} in 1969.{{cite news|last1=Preece|first1=Kate|title=Legends of the club|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/avenues/features/7007174/Legends-of-the-club|accessdate=15 March 2018|work=Avenues Magazine|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|date=29 May 2012}} In 1977, he captained the All Blacks to a series win over the British Lions and played three games for the World Invitation XV in South Africa.

In the 2006 New Year Honours, Norton was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to rugby.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications/new-year-honours-list-2006|title=New Zealand New Years Honours 2006|date=1 January 2006|publisher=Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet|accessdate=15 March 2018}}

Of Māori descent, Norton affiliated to Ngāi Tahu through his father.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300082177/exall-blacks-warriors-tane-norton-and-bill-bush-honoured-with-carving|title=Ex-All Blacks warriors Tane Norton and Bill Bush honoured with carving|website=Stuff|date=2020-08-14|access-date=2024-03-12}} In 1973 and 1974, Norton was awarded the Tom French Cup for the outstanding Māori rugby union player of the year.{{cite news |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/08/rugby-former-all-blacks-captain-nz-rugby-president-tane-norton-dies-aged-81.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804001133/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/08/rugby-former-all-blacks-captain-nz-rugby-president-tane-norton-dies-aged-81.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 August 2023 |title=Rugby: Former All Blacks captain, NZ Rugby president Tane Norton dies, aged 81 |first=Grant |last=Chapman |work=Newshub |date=4 August 2023 |access-date=4 August 2023}}

Norton died in Christchurch on 4 August 2023, at the age of 81.{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300943196/former-all-blacks-captain-tane-norton-dies-aged-81 |title=Former All Blacks captain Tane Norton dies, aged 81 |date=4 August 2023 |work=Stuff |access-date=4 August 2023}}{{cite news |url=https://www.legacy.com/nz/obituaries/the-press-nz/name/rangitane-norton-obituary?id=52624424 |title=Rangitane Norton obituary |date=5 August 2023 |work=The Press |access-date=5 August 2023}}