"Thank you" was the response of Ack Soper when being honored with a Southland Senior Rugby Shield in his name, the 'Ack Soper Shield', in 2019. But today as we learn of his peaceful passing at the age of 83, we thank and shine a spotlight on the lasting inspiration he leaves for not just rugby in Southland, but the whole of New Zealand. 

From the New Zealand under 21 team which in 1955 toured Ceylon (or Sri Lanka as it is now known), two players emerged to eventually become absolute rugby legends, Colin Meads and Wilson Whineray. But at the time they may not have been top of everyone's list as the youngster from that side who was most likely to succeed in future seasons.The vote probably would have gone to the team's captain, a talented teenager from the rural regions of Southland, Alistair Soper.

For his first few years in New Zealand first class rugby Soper, who was always known by the nickname "Ack," was seen as a prodigy destined for greatness.He had a lengthy spell in the Waitaki Boys High School first XV and had no sooner returned to the family farm than he was in the Southland representative side in 1954. He was still a few weeks short of his 18th birthday when he made his debut and went on to play 103 games for Southland. At 1.83m tall and weighing nearly 90kg Soper was a No 8 in the classical mould, a fierce tackler and a natural on cover defence or as it was then known, corner flagging. As a province Southland has had a proud loose forward tradition. Just before Soper, Eddie Robinson and Bill McCaw had been Southland mainstays in the backs and in latter years there were the likes of Ken Stewart, Leicester Rutledge and Paul Henderson.

In that illustrious company Soper was very much in the forefront. Soper's impact was immediately noted and in the 1955 Rugby Almanack the youngster was acclaimed as one of the five promising players of the 1954 season. In 1956, still in his teens, Soper was in that year's South Island match and played in the trials to help pick the All Black sides to meet the touring Springboks. Soper missed playing for Southland against the tourists because of an injury. But the expectations he would become one of the game's greats saw him chosen in 1957 for the All Blacks' tour of Australia. He did not make either of the two tests against the Wallabies but played in eight of the matches and scored a try against New England. Surprisingly for he was still short of his 21st birthday while on that tour that proved to be his one and only involvement in the All Blacks.

However, for a number of seasons he remained in national calculations. He was in the New Zealand under 23 team which under the captaincy of Whinerary toured Japan in early 1958 and in 1959 he made the last of his three appearances for the South Island.He was a trialist, too, for the 1960 All Black team to tour South Africa and when he was passed over for selection went off on a private overseas trip, missing the entire 1960 season in New Zealand playing instead for the Blackheath club in England.But he resumed playing for Southland in 1961 and gave his province admirable service up until the 1966 season, climaxing his career by being in the team which in the tour's opening match beat the British Lions.

Soper finished with 103 matches for Southland, becoming the first to reach a century for the union. He played in several other notable matches in Southland's history, including the 1959 Ranfurly Shield win over Taranaki. After retirement Soper continued to work hard for the game as an administrator and coach at club and subunion levels. In 1985 he was president of the Southland union and was made a life member of the Union. His father Clarence represented Southland 1936-40 and was also made a life member of the Union. He and A J Soper are thought to be the only father and son combination to have played in Southland Ranfurly Shield holding teams."Ack" Soper came from a family with the strongest of rugby traditions. 

Rest In Peace Ack, the 'Ack Soper Shield' will be all the more special this season. 

Our thoughts are with Ack's wife Lyndel, his family, and his beloved Athol & Country Pirates Rugby Community. 

Messages to 76 Birdwood Avenue, Beckenham, Christchurch 8023. Funeral details to follow. 

Article added: Wednesday 17 June 2020