Sir Colin Meads - a True All-Black Great - Is Terminally Ill

The Pinetree may be about to fall.

All Blacks legend Sir Colin Meads – considered one the greatest rugby players of all-time – has been revealed as suffering from pancreatic cancer, today.

Sir Colin's family confirmed to the New Zealand Herald this morning that the illness is terminal.

Sir Colin – known to most Kiwis by his nickname 'Pinetree' - played 55 tests for the All Blacks between 1957 and 1971.

The 80-year-old former Te Kuiti farmer played 133 total games for New Zealand. He also played 139 for his beloved home union, King Country.

A towering lock forward, Sir Colin's strength, work ethic and laconic approach to rugby and life have long formed a lightning rod to New Zealand sport and society.

His place in Kiwi social mythology is perhaps best summarized by the All Blacks website: "as a sporting legend, Meads is New Zealand's equivalent of Asutralia's Sir Donald Bradman or the United States of America's Babe Ruth."

Highlights of Sir Colin Meads in action for the All Blacks. Credit: YouTube

The legendary rugby player said he has been "inundated" with support from Kiwis and fans around the world. Sir Colin added that the diagnosis has been tough on his family.

"I've been crook for the past six months, and having all sorts of tests," Sir Colin said, in a media statement.Sir Colin was admitted to Waikato Hospital with concerns over a kidney illness last month.

"It's bloody hard for [wife] Verna, the kids and grandkids," Sir Colin said.

"The kids are all close to their mum and each other, and we'll come right together.

"Thank you to everyone for their concern. But for now, it's about me fighting this, and we want to get on with what we are facing privately, as a family."