Billy Stead

Billy Stead
Headshot of Billy Stead with All Blacks' cap on
Stead in 1903
Birth nameJohn William Stead
Date of birth(1877-09-18)18 September 1877
Place of birthInvercargill, Southland, New Zealand
Date of death21 July 1958(1958-07-21) (aged 80)
Place of deathBluff, Southland, New Zealand
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight64 kg (141 lb)
SchoolSouthland Boys' High School
Notable relative(s)John Stead (father)
Occupation(s)Bootmaker
Rugby union career
Position(s) First five-eighths
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1896–1908 Star Rugby Club ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1896–1908 Southland 52 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1903–08 New Zealand 42 (36)
1910 Māori All Blacks 13
Coaching career
Years Team
1921 New Zealand
1921 Māori All Blacks

Billy Stead, born John William Stead, (18 September 1877 – 21 July 1958) was a rugby union player born in Invercargill who played for New Zealand, the All Blacks, on their 1905–06 tour. Stead also played provincially for Southland, and later coached various teams, including Southland and the New Zealand Māori. A bootmaker by trade, he also co-authored The Complete Rugby Footballer with Dave Gallaher, and was a columnist for the Southland Times, and New Zealand Truth.