New Zealand rugby union football player and former national team captain (1971) whose outstanding performance as a lock forward made him a legendary figure in New Zealand and in international rugby history. Noted as one of the best locks of all time, Meads played 55 Test (international) matches (48 at lock, 7 at the number eight position) for the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, between 1957 and 1971; on 11 occasions between 1961 and 1966 he played alongside his younger brother Stan.