Stan Meads was the second New Zealand representative from the Meads family and younger brother of Colin Meads. Like his elder, he was a forward, built on All Black lines, could play in the lock, flank or No. 8 positions as required, and after his schooling at Te Kuiti High School joined up with Waitete Club in Te Kuiti, with whom he remained throughout his career. He was born at Arapuni, on July 12,1938. Stanley Meads became a King Country representative in 1957, playing against Counties, at Otorohanga, on July 20; in the pack was Colin Meads also, the brothers thus appearing together in a 1st class match for the first of many which they have been associated in. Stan. Meads had three further appearances for the Union before the season ended. With the Australian side in New Zealand in 1958, trials were held to select the All Black XV, Stanley Meads being given a run in the first of the North Island trials, at Palmerston North, he was eight times in King Country teams, including the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki, and four matches on the southern tour, whilst Evergreens Club recognised his promise by playing him against Manawatu. Injury put him on the side-line after playing once for the Union in 1959, thus missing the opportunity of appearing against the British Isles touring team. New Zealand trials were held to aid in the selection of the All Blacks for the 1960 tour to South Africa, Stan Meads playing in three, twice at lock and once on the flank. He, however, had to wait a little longer for his Silver Fern, but had the satisfaction of playing in the first of his six Inter-island matches, and for The Rest of New Zealand against the All Blacks when they returned from South Africa, he played five times for King Country as well. The 1961 season was a memorable one for Stan Meads, he joining brother Colin in the All Black scrummage, at Auckland, against France, taking the injured K. R. Tremain's place on the side of the scrummage when Tremain had to withdraw after selection; he also played ten games for King Country, in a North Island trial and for North Island. Stanley Meads made his first overseas tour as an All Black in 1962, touring with the New Zealand side to Australia, in May and June, and playing in seven engagements, before selection he appeared in the North Island and New Zealand trials. The Australians returned the visit later in the year, S. T. Meads appearing in the Dunedin and Auckland Tests against the visitors; his King Country matches totalled nine. Came 1963, and the highlight of a fine career, after a position in the North Island scrummage in the Inter-island contest, and a New Zealand trial, gaining selection in the New Zealand side to go to the British Isles, France and Canada. Unfortunately, injuries and illness (including an appendix operation) limited his appearances to nine, with one International (v. Ireland) to his record. Before journeying to Great Britain he had represented King Country a further seven times. An All Black again in 1964 - in the three Tests against the touring Australians, after another North Island appearance; the season, too, brought him ten more King Country matches. When the Springboks arrived in New Zealand in 1965, Stan Meads was at the top of his form, his two New Zealand trials and his North Island match efforts putting him into the four Tests with the South Africans, whilst with his appearance for the Wanganui - King Country XV and another nine games for King Country a busy season was completed. Stanley Meads was seen on the playing field nineteen times in 1966: A North Island trial, a New Zealand trial, and the Inter-Island fixture, leading up to his playing in all four Tests against the British Isles touring team. Before the year ended he was to play his final matches for his Union - eleven, and also one for Wanganui - King Country in the defeat of the Lions, in a memorable game at Wanganui. Stanley Thomas Meads then retired from active Rugby. He had taken over a big parcel of sheep country at Te Kuiti, and would not have been able to do justice to that, nor to give of his very best to the game should he try to accommodate both, so with the future ahead he stood down from the sport he had honourably adorned. Weighing 15st. 8lb (99kg) and standing 6' 3" (1.91m) he was without doubt a magnificent player. Stan Meads took over the coaching of King Country during the 1994 season and continued in the role in 1995, 96.