George Aillères (3 December 1934 – 20 October 2024) was a French rugby league player who represented France in the 1968 World Cup. He was the father of the fellow France rugby league international Pierre Aillères. He was nicknamed "Le Cube" ("The Cube") due to his "imposing physical presence".[2]
Playing career
Before switching to rugby league, Aillères played rugby union for Rieumes and then for Toulouse Olympique Employés Club. Later, he started his rugby league career playing for Toulouse Olympique, with which he arrived second at the championship final in 1964 and won a championship title in 1965. He then joined briefly Lézignan Sangliers, winning the Lord Derby Cup in 1966, before returning to Toulouse Olympique. Aillères made his French debut in 1961. He toured New Zealand in 1964.[3] He was selected as the French captain for the 1968 Rugby League World Cup. George played in his last match for France in 1970.[1]
Honours and legacy
The Challenge Georges Aillères is named in his honour. Initially established in 2012 as a pre-season tournament, it became the league cup for Elite 2 in 2016.[4]
In December 2021, Aillères was inducted into France's national sports hall of fame Gloire du sport.[5]
Personal life
Aillères's son, Pierre, represented France at rugby league in the 1980s and 1990s.[6]
Death
Aillères died on 20 October 2024, at the age of 89.[7]
References
- 1 2 George Aillères rugbyleagueproject.org
- ↑ Rylance, Mike (2 November 2020). "France Captain in Hall of Fame". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. 3199: 24 – via ISSN 0962-1547.
- ↑ John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. p. 178. ISBN 9781869693312.
- ↑ "Un Challenge Georges Aillères pour l'Élite 2". ladepeche.fr. Groupe La Dépêche du Midi. 19 June 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
- ↑ "Georges Aillères : Une gloire du sport, un monument du XIII" (in French). FFRXIII. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
- ↑ "Death of Pierre Ailleres, former French international". Treize Mondial. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "Carnet noir : Georges Aillères, figure du rugby à XIII toulousain et français, s'en est allé à l'âge de 89 ans". La Dépêche. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.