Born: 8 October, 1934 – Auckland Died: 18 December, 2017 – Auckland Test record: 0 Tests Tours: 1957 World Cup
Ponsonby utility Keith Bell was selected in New Zealand’s 1957 World Cup squad but did not get the opportunity to pull on the black-and-white jersey.
Bell was in the second-row for Auckland in its 17-15 win over France in 1955 and his versatility was viewed as a valuable commodity for the Kiwis’ World Cup campaign. However, despite his ability to also cover positions in the backline, he was not called up to play in the tournament.
The following season Bell helped Ponsonby to victory in the inaugural Fox Memorial grand final against Otahuhu, while he was infamously one of three Kiwis sent off in quick succession as the Ponies lost the Stormont Shield match to Marist. He also represented Auckland against the 1958 Lions.
Later a player-coach at Northcote in his twilight years, he coached both Ponsonby and Northcote after hanging up the boots and became chairman at the Ponies.