{{short description|NZ international rugby union player (1927–1982)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2016}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Brian Finlay | honorific-suffix = | image = Brian Finlay 1950 (cropped).jpg | alt = | caption = Finlay in 1950 | birth_name = Brian Edward Louis Finlay | birth_date = {{Birth date|1927|11|07|df=yes}} | birth_place = Cromwell, New Zealand | death_place = Auckland, New Zealand | death_date = {{Death date and age|1982|03|09|1927|11|07|df=yes}} | position = {{Hlist|Mid-field back|flanker}} | height = {{convert|1.78|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|88|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | repteam1 = {{nrut|New Zealand}} | repyears1 = 1959 | repcaps1 = 1 | reppoints1 = 0 | province1 = Manawatu | provinceyears1 = 1950–1960 | provinceapps1 = | provincepoints1 = | occupation = Joiner | relatives = Jack Finlay (cousin) | school = St Patrick's College, Wellington | university = Massey Agricultural College }}
'''Brian Edward Louis Finlay''' (7 November 1927 – 9 March 1982) was a New Zealand rugby union player. After playing most of his provincial career for Manawatu as a mid-field back, he switched to flanker during the 1958 season, and played his only test for the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, the following year. He retired from playing representative rugby in 1960, having made over 100 first-class appearances.
==Early life and family== Born in Cromwell on 7 November 1927, Finlay was the son of Gertrude Margaret Finlay (née Flannery) and John Finlay.<ref name="AB profile">{{cite web |url=https://stats.allblacks.com/all-players/profile/Brian-Finlay-AB-596 |title=Brian Finlay |last=Palmerston North Marist RFC | publisher=New Zealand Rugby |access-date=4 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/search/search?path=%2FqueryEntry.m%3Ftype%3Dbirths |title=Birth search: registration number 1927/27690 |website=Births, deaths & marriages online |publisher=Department of Internal Affairs |access-date=5 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/search/search?path=%2FqueryEntry.m%3Ftype%3Dmarriages |title=Marriage search: registration number 1921/2160 |website=Births, deaths & marriages online |publisher=Department of Internal Affairs |access-date=5 January 2026}}</ref> Both of his parents were schoolteachers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19200518.2.7 |title=Education Board |work=Otago Witness |issue=3453 |date=18 May 1920 |page=5 |access-date=5 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DUNST19230903.2.25 |title=Personal |work=Dunstan Times |issue=3182 |date=3 September 1923 |page=4 |access-date=5 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref> He was a cousin of rugby player and decorated soldier Jack Finlay.<ref name="Press 6 Jul 1959">{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19590706.2.68 |title=Veteran |work=The Press |volume=98 |issue=28939 |date=6 July 1959 |page=10 |access-date=4 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref><ref name="Press 27 Jun 1959">{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19590627.2.19.6 |title=Versatile Finlays |work=The Press |volume=98 |issue=28932 |date=27 June 1959 |page=5 |access-date=9 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref>
Brian Finlay was educated at St Patrick's College, Wellington, where he played as a fullback and halfback.<ref name="AB profile"/>
After leaving school, Finlay played for the Marist club in Wellington.<ref name="AB profile"/> He then moved to Palmerston North, where he earned a Diploma of Agriculture at Massey Agricultural College in 1950.<ref name="AB profile"/> That year, he was a member of the Massey senior 'A' team—alongside players including John Hotop and Hiwi Tauroa (captain)—that won the Manawatu senior 'A' club competition and Jubilee Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tamiro.massey.ac.nz/nodes/view/11564 |title=Senior A football team, 1950 |website=Tāmiro |publisher=Massey University Library |access-date=4 January 2026}}</ref> In 1951, Finlay joined the Palmerston North Marist club.<ref name="AB profile"/>
==Representative rugby career==
===Mid-field back, 1950–1958=== Finlay made his provincial debut for Manawatu in 1950.<ref name="Men in Black">{{cite book |title=Men in Black 1903–1988 |first1=R. H. |last1=Chester |first2=N. A. C. |last2=McMillan |publisher=Moa |location=Auckland |year=1988 |edition=4th |pages=210–211}}</ref> During the season, he made ten appearances for Manawatu, seven at centre and three in the five-eighths, scoring a total of five tries.<ref name="RA 1951 Manawatu"/> He also played for a combined Manawatu–Horowhenua side at centre against the touring British Isles team.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Manawatu–Horowhenua |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=15 |year=1951 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=102}}</ref> In its review of Manawatu's season, the annual ''Rugby Almanack of New Zealand'' opined: {{blockquote|"At centre Finlay had a good season, always appealing as a grand attacking player, speedy and resourceful, when given a chance with room in which to move."<ref name="RA 1951 Manawatu">{{cite journal |title=Manawatu |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=15 |year=1951 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |pages=99–101}}</ref>}}
In the 1951 season, Finlay played 11 matches for Manawatu at second five-eighth, scoring four tries.<ref name="RA 1952 Manawatu">{{cite journal |title=Manawatu |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=16 |year=1952 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |pages=99–101}}</ref> The ''Rugby Almanack of New Zealand'' said that Finlay had "a very good season",<ref name="RA 1952 Manawatu"/> and, while noting the paucity of class players in that position was one of New Zealand's greatest weaknesses, held that he was close to being of international standard.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Our New Zealand XV |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=16 |year=1952 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=9}}</ref>
Finlay played at second five-eighth in all 10 of Manawatu's matches in 1952, scoring two tries and one drop goal for his side during the season.<ref name="RA 1953 Manawatu">{{cite journal |title=Manawatu |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=17 |year=1953 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |pages=71–73}}</ref> The ''Rugby Almanack of New Zealand'' said that he "combined well" with his Marist club mate, W. M. White, in the five-eighths, "without quite making the best of their opportunities".<ref name="RA 1953 Manawatu"/> Finlay also played at second five-eighth for the North Island in the annual inter-island match,<ref>{{cite journal |title=The inter-island match |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=17 |year=1953 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=43}}</ref> and was an All Black reserve for games against Australia and New Zealand Māori.<ref name="AB profile"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MEX19520721.2.6 |title=N.Z. rugby team |work=Marlborough Express |volume=87 |issue=171 |date=21 July 1952 |page=2 |access-date=8 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref>
In the 1953 provincial season, Finlay played at second five-eighth in six of Manawatu's 13 games, and the ''Rugby Almanack of New Zealand'' commented that the position "was never really competently filled".<ref>{{cite journal |title=Manawatu |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=18 |year=1954 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |pages=64–66}}</ref> He was nominated for an All Blacks trial, but was not selected.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19530818.2.28 |title=Trials for All Blacks |work=The Press |volume=89 |issue=27121 |date=18 August 1953 |page=5 |access-date=8 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref>
In the 1954 season, Finlay was said by the ''Rugby Almanack of New Zealand'' to have been "a useful inside back, who however was not always in good form".<ref name="RA 1955 Manawatu">{{cite journal |title=Manawatu |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=21 |year=1955 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |pages=84–85}}</ref> During the season, he appeared in all but one of Manawatu's 10 games, playing at centre and fullback once each and his remaining games at second five-eighth, but did not score any points.<ref name="RA 1955 Manawatu"/>
After not appearing for Manawatu in 1955, with the speedy and penetrating Colin Garnett being preferred at second five-eighth,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Manawatu |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=22 |year=1956 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |pages=81–84}}</ref> Finlay returned to the side for the 1956 season, playing at centre in all eight of Manawatu's games, scoring four tries.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Manawatu |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=23 |year=1957 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |pages=92–94}}</ref> He also made four appearances for the combined Manawatu–Horowhenua team, playing at centre in three matches and second-five eighth in the game against the touring Springboks, without scoring.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Manawatu–Horowhenua |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=23 |year=1957 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=95}}</ref>
In 1957, Finlay made 10 appearances for Manawatu, all but one of them at first five-eighth and the other at second five-eighth, without scoring.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Manawatu |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=24 |year=1958 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |pages=98–100}}</ref>
Finlay played at centre in Manawatu's first two games of the 1958 season, before switching to play as a flanker.<ref name="AB profile"/><ref name="Press 27 Jun 1959"/><ref name="RA 1959 Manawatu">{{cite journal |title=Manawatu |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=25 |year=1959 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |pages=82–84}}</ref> Ironically, his last game in the backline, against Wellington, was also his most successful points-wise for his province until then, being the first time that he scored two tries in a match for Manawatu.<ref name="RA 1959 Manawatu"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19580603.2.82 |title=Wellington has win |work=The Press |volume=97 |issue=28602 |date=3 June 1958 |page=11 |access-date=9 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref> For most of Manawatu's games for the rest of the season, Finlay's place at centre or second five-eighth was taken by Murray Ball.<ref name="AB profile"/><ref name="RA 1959 Manawatu"/> However, Finlay continued at centre for the whole season for his Marist club team.<ref name="AB profile"/>
===Flanker, 1958–1960=== Finlay's first game at flanker for Manawatu was in the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki on 6 August 1958, after having been a mid-field back for the whole of his playing career.<ref name="AB profile"/><ref name="RA 1959 Manawatu"/><ref name="Press 7 Aug 1958">{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19580807.2.57 |title=Taranaki scrapes home in rugged game with Manawatu |work=The Press |volume=97 |issue=28658 |date=7 August 1958 |page=6 |access-date=10 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref> The experiment was seen to have immediately paid off when Finlay scored his team's opening try in the match, although Taranaki went on to win the game narrowly, 9–8, and Finlay's performance in the rest of the match was described as "inconspicuous".<ref name="Press 7 Aug 1958"/> Manawatu persisted with Finlay as a flanker for the remaining seven games of the season and he scored one more try, against Horowhenua.<ref name="RA 1959 Manawatu"/> The ''Rugby Almanack of New Zealand'' called the switch "highly successful".<ref name="RA 1959 Manawatu"/>
Such was the success of Finlay's move into the forward pack that in 1959 he had regional and North Island trials as a flanker, scoring a try in the regional trial on 28 May, and was selected in that position for the North Island in the inter-island match at Athletic Park, Wellington, on 13 June.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Fourth regional trial |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=26 |year=1960 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=61}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Second North Island trial |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=26 |year=1960 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=67}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The inter-island match |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=26 |year=1960 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=69}}</ref> In that match, in which the North Island defeated the South Island 30–14, it was reported that in loose play, Finlay "stood out with his backing up and sure handling".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19590615.2.144 |title=North Island beats South |work=The Press |volume=98 |issue=28921 |date=15 June 1959 |page=14 |access-date=10 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref> It was said that "he was extremely fast to the loose ball, and his speed, more than that of any other North Island forward, enabled the North Island to succeed so well with its play from the tackled ball".<ref name="Press 6 Jul 1959b">{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19590706.2.113 |title=Few surprises in team |work=The Press |volume=98 |issue=28939 |date=6 July 1959 |page=12 |access-date=10 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref> ''The Press'' newspaper remarked:<blockquote>"[Finlay] demonstrated quite clearly in the inter-island match recently that he has all the attributes of a high class flanker. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that he may yet win a New Zealand cap as a forward, thereby matching the deeds of his cousin."<ref name="Press 27 Jun 1959"/></blockquote>
That prediction came to pass, and Finlay was duly selected for the All Blacks for the first test against the touring British Lions at Carisbrook on 18 July 1959, narrowly won by New Zealand, 18–17.<ref name="AB profile"/> Finlay's selection, at the expense of Colin Meads, was seen as "the only real surprise" and the "most unexpected feature" of the team, as he had been largely absent from top-class rugby in New Zealand between 1953 and 1957,<ref name="Press 6 Jul 1959b"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19590706.2.112 |title=New Zealand team for first test announced |work=The Press |volume=98 |issue=28939 |date=6 July 1959 |page=12 |access-date=10 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref> had played only a few representative matches as a forward, and, at age 31, was comparatively old for an All Black debutant.<ref name="Men in Black"/><ref name="Press 6 Jul 1959"/>
A preview of the first test noted that Finlay was an "excellent exponent" of broken and loose play, and that he could be "relied upon to do as well in this play as the British Isles loose forwards".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19590718.2.19.1 |title=Lions may do well against New Zealand in test today |work=The Press |volume=98 |issue=28950 |date=18 July 1959 |page=5 |access-date=10 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref> However, he suffered a knee injury tackling Lions halfback Dickie Jeeps in the tenth minute of the match.<ref name="Men in Black"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19590722.2.163 |title=Second test team |work=The Press |volume=98 |issue=28953 |date=22 July 1959 |page=16 |access-date=10 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref> In the era when replacements were not allowed, Finlay returned to the field after treatment, but he was noticeably limping and his contributions for the remainder of the match were limited.<ref name="AB profile"/><ref name="Men in Black"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19590723.2.61.12 |title=Changes likely in All Black team for the second test |work=The Press |volume=98 |issue=28954 |date=23 July 1959 |page=9 |access-date=10 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref>
Finlay's injury in the first test against the Lions meant that he was not considered for selection for the remainder of the international series,<ref>{{cite journal |title=The 1959 New Zealand team |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=26 |year=1960 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=56}}</ref> but after recovering he appeared at flanker and scored a try for the combined Manawatu–Horowhenua team in their 6–26 loss against the Lions at Palmerston North on 11 August.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Manawatu–Horowhenua |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=26 |year=1960 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=106}}</ref> During the 1959 season, Finlay played nine matches and scored three tries for Manawatu, and the Manawatu flankers, Finlay and Neville Mears, were described as "just about the speediest and most effective in the country".<ref name="RA 1960 Manawatu">{{cite journal |title=Manawatu |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=26 |year=1960 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |pages=103–105}}</ref> At the end of the season, Finlay scored a try for Wilson Whineray's New Zealand XV in their 24–15 defeat of Peter Burke's Taranaki XV at Rugby Park in New Plymouth.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19591020.2.49 |title=N.Z. Fifteen Wins At New Plymouth |work=The Press |volume=98 |issue=29030 |date=20 October 1959 |page=7 |access-date=10 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref>
Finlay remained on the fringe of international selection in 1960, and was vice-captain of one of the All Blacks trial teams for that year's tour of Australia and South Africa, scoring a try.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19600328.2.121 |title=Four teams selected for first trials |work=The Press |volume=99 |issue=29165 |date=28 March 1960 |page=14 |access-date=10 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19600329.2.18 |title=Trials for All Blacks |work=The Press |volume=99 |issue=29166 |date=29 March 1960 |page=4 |access-date=10 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=First New Zealand trial |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=27 |year=1961 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=78}}</ref> The ''Rugby Almanack of New Zealand'' noted that Finlay was still a "clever anticipator and useful link with his backs",<ref>{{cite journal |title=Our New Zealand XV |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=27 |year=1961 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=11}}</ref> but his performance in the final All Black trial match was described as "sporadic", and he was not selected for the tour.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19600422.2.104 |title=Problems resolved for selectors in final trial |work=The Press |volume=99 |issue=29186 |date=22 April 1960 |page=12 |access-date=10 January 2026 |via=PapersPast}}</ref>
In 1960, Finlay made nine appearances for Manawatu, scoring three tries, before retiring from representative rugby at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Manawatu |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=27 |year=1961 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |pages=116–118}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Manawatu |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=28 |year=1962 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=80}}</ref> During the season he played his 100th first-class game, becoming one of 96 New Zealand players to have reached that milestone as of the end of 1960.<ref>{{cite journal |title=100 matches |journal=Rugby Almanack of New Zealand |issue=27 |year=1961 |editor1-last=Carman |editor1-first=Arthur H. |editor2-last=Masters |editor2-first=Read |editor3-last=Swan |editor3-first=Arthur C. |editor1-link=Arthur Carman |editor2-link=Read Masters |page=12}}</ref>
==Rugby coaching== After retiring as a player, Finlay remained involved in rugby as a coach, both with Palmerston North Marist and the Ashhurst club.<ref name="AB profile"/> From 1973 to 1975, he was an assistant coach of the Manawatu Colts team.<ref name="AB profile"/>
==Later life and legacy== Finlay lived in Ashhurst and had a joinery business.<ref name="AB profile"/> He died at Auckland on 9 March 1982,<ref name="AB profile"/> and was buried at Kelvin Grove Cemetery in Palmerston North.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pncc.govt.nz/Services/Cemetery-and-cremation-search |title=Cemetery and cremation search |publisher=Palmerston North City Council |access-date=4 January 2026}}</ref> His wife, Patrice Finlay, died in 2025.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://deaths.manawatustandard.co.nz/nz/obituaries/manawatu-standard-nz/name/patrice-finlay-obituary?id=58281457 |title=Patrice Finlay obituary |date=1 May 2025 |work=Manawatū Standard |access-date=4 January 2026}}</ref> The couple had eight children.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/60547/records/506767 |title=New Zealand Cemetery Records 1800–2007 |publisher=New Zealand Society of Genealogists |access-date=5 January 2026 |via=Ancestry.com.au |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
The Brian Finlay Memorial Trophy is awarded annually by the Palmerston North Marist rugby club to the most improved back in the club's senior team.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.maristsports.co.nz/images/magazines/Marist-GandG-November-2018-low.pdf |title=PNOBM Prizegiving 2018 |date=November 2018 |magazine=Green & Gold Times |page=11 |access-date=4 January 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Portal|Sports}} {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Finlay, Brian}} Category:1927 births Category:1982 deaths Category:Rugby union players from Cromwell, New Zealand Category:People educated at St Patrick's College, Wellington Category:Massey University alumni Category:Manawatu rugby union players Category:New Zealand international rugby union players Category:New Zealand rugby union players Category:Rugby union centres Category:Rugby union flankers Category:20th-century New Zealand sportsmen Category:Burials at Kelvin Grove Cemetery