Daryl Lilley

Daryl Paul Lilley was born on 17 September 1974 in New Plymouth, in the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island. He attended New Plymouth Boys' High School, one of the country's strongest rugby schools, and played his club rugby for New Plymouth Old Boys.

He made his first class debut for Taranaki against Counties on 9 May 1993, at the age of 18.

A goal kicking utility back who could play fullback, wing and first five eighth, Lilley spent his first four seasons with Taranaki, scoring 362 points in 41 matches between 1993 and 1996.

In 1997 he moved to Canterbury and joined the Crusaders in Super 12 rugby, becoming Crusader number 36. He played 29 matches for the franchise from 1997 to 1999. In the 1998 semi final against the Coastal Sharks at Lancaster Park he scored a crucial second half try as the Crusaders came back from six points down to win 36 to 32, and the side went on to claim its first Super 12 title. He also represented the New Zealand Rugby Academy, New Zealand A and a South Island Invitation XV.

Returning to Taranaki in 2000, he played 26 matches for the Hurricanes from 2000 to 2002, mostly on the wing, and continued with Taranaki until 2003. Over his two spells with the province he played 84 games and scored 777 points.

He finished his playing career abroad. In 2004 he joined the Newcastle Falcons in England as injury cover for Jonny Wilkinson, and he then spent two seasons with Rugby Viadana in Italy.

Back home he coached club rugby. Southern Rugby Club in Hawera appointed him premier assistant coach in 2010 and head coach for 2011 and 2012, and the club later credited him with helping lay the foundations for its 2013 success.

Lilley was widely known in New Zealand rugby by his nickname, Flaza. He remained a familiar figure in the Taranaki rugby community after he stopped playing. Rival club United Rugby and Sports Club recalled him as a "nemesis" when he played for New Plymouth Old Boys against them, while acknowledging his talent. Details of his family life were not widely reported.

Daryl Lilley died on the night of 9 November 2026, aged 52. New Plymouth Old Boys' Rugby Club announced his death the following day in a social media tribute. The cause of death was not made public.

The Crusaders paid tribute to him as Crusader number 36 and said their thoughts were with his loved ones. New Plymouth Old Boys remembered him as a fierce competitor on the field and "a genuinely good bugger off it". Funeral arrangements had not been reported.

Lilley belonged to the first Crusaders team to win a Super rugby title, the 1998 side that began one of the most successful dynasties in the sport, and his semi final try against the Sharks remains one of the key moments of that campaign.

In Taranaki he is remembered as a prolific points scorer, with 777 points for the province, and as a coach who helped build Southern Rugby Club's later success.