Bill Sorensen
NZ international rugby league footballer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Sorensen (6 April 1932 – 29 January 1996) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in the 1954, 1957 and 1960 World Cups.
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | William Sorensen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 6 April 1932[1] Utui, Vavaʻu, Tonga[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 29 January 1996 (aged 63)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre, Five-eighth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Coaching information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | Takapuna Grammar School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Dane Sorensen (nephew) Kurt Sorensen (nephew) Scott Sorensen (grandson) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career
Sorensen was a member of the Ponsonby United Rugby League Club and represented Auckland.[2]
He played in twenty four tests for the New Zealand national rugby league team, including seven games at the 1954, 1957 and 1960 World Cups. He was selected to go on the 1955–56 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain and France. After the 1957 World Cup Sorensen played for the Rest of the World against Australia.[citation needed]
Sorensen also represented the New Zealand Māori side. In this period, players of other Polynesian backgrounds were also selected for the team.[3] He retired following the 1960 World Cup.[4]
In 1963 Sorensen was player-coach for a New South Wales country team.[5]
Coaching career
Sorensen was the Auckland coach when they competed in the grand slam in 1977, defeating Australia, France and Great Britain in a three-week period.[6]
He also served as a selector for the New Zealand national rugby league team.[7]
Personal life
Sorensen's brother Dave also played for the Kiwis as did two of his nephews; Dane and Kurt.[8]
Sorensen died in 1996, leaving behind his widow Olga.
His daughter is Debbie Sorensen a prominent Pacific Health leader [6]
Sorensen's grandson is Penrith Panthers and Kiwis forward Scott Sorensen.[9]
Legacy
Sorensen was made a life member of the New Zealand Rugby League in 1991.[7]
He was inducted into the New Zealand Rugby League's "Legends of League" in 2000.[10]
References
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