IRB chair Syd Millar during the Italy Rugby World Cup team's welcome at Whakatu Marae Nelson, in 2011. Photo: Chris Symes/Photosport
Former Ireland prop and British and Irish Lions player, coach and manager Syd Millar has, aged 89.
Millar was a stalwart of Ballymena Rugby Club and Ulster Rugby and made his Ireland debut in 1958, winning a total of 37 caps, as well as appearing on three British and Irish Lions tours.
He served as Ireland coach from 1973-75 and led the Lions on an undefeated tour of South Africa in 1974. In addition, he managed the Lions on the 1980 tour and Ireland in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.
He went on to become chair of the International Rugby Board (IRB), the sport's global governing body now known as World Rugby, from 2003 until 2007.
He was at the helm of the organisation when New Zealand was awarded the 2011 Rugby World Cup and deputy chair when New Zealand was stripped of sub-hosting rights for the 2003 tournament edition for failing to provide clean stadia for advertising purposes.
He also toured New Zealand as part of the Lions in1959.
"I know that I speak on behalf of colleagues and the global rugby family when I say that Syd Millar was a giant of the game on the world stage," said World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont in a statement.
"As influential in the boardroom as he was brilliant as a player, coach and manager, Syd was a natural leader and visionary, someone who cared deeply about the sport, its people, values and future," he added.
Millar was elected President of the Irish Football Union (IRFU) in 1995, a transformational era for the sport, and was Chairman of the British and Irish Lions between 1999 and 2002.
He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2009.
Reuters/RNZ