Celebrating our Former All Black

It was a proud day for four generations of the McLean family as Thames High School was presented with the All Blacks’ cap of former student and teacher Jack McLean.

Jack McLean played for the All Blacks from 1947-49. He switched to League in the Fifties and played for Northern Bradford in England; he’s still regarded as a league legend there. 

His wife Olga – who’s 90 – presented the cap to the school. Watching on were their children, grandchildren and three great grandchildren, many of whom are current or former Thames High students.

The cap has pride of place in the school trophy cabinet while a new, dedicated display case is made.

And on the day Thames High celebrated one of its Old Boys, students and staff got to see close-up the William Webb Ellis trophy – a.k.a the Rugby World Cup. It came to town as part of a nationwide tour celebrating the All Blacks’ victory in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. 

Thank you to the extended McLean family for providing some of the photos.