Former Kiwis rugby league international Gerard Stokes has died after a near-year long battle with cancer.
The 65-year-old, father of England's Cricket World Cup hero, Ben Stokes was diagnosed with brain cancer in January, weeks after undergoing brain surgery in South Africa after he fell ill just before Christmas.
Stokes played one test for the Kiwis in 1982, as well as four non-tests as part of the New Zealand side that toured Australia.
While playing for UK club Workington Town, Stokes infamously asked for medical staff to amputate his finger during a match after he suffered a nasty dislocation - the request was denied.
Stokes took to social media to pay tribute to his father.
"In different places now me and you Ged," Stokes wrote in an Instagram post. "But knowing you’ll always have this smile on your face makes me smile every time I think of you.
"Love you forever and always."
Post-career, Stokes coached the Canterbury Cardinals in the now-defunct Lion Red Cup, before taking the helm of the Canterbury Bulls for six years.
In 2003, Stokes returned to Workington, where he would coach the side until 2007.
Stokes and his wife settled in New Zealand in 2013.
His son Ben broke the hearts of the country in 2019, playing the innings of his life, as England topped the Blackcaps in a super over to win the Cricket World Cup.
Stokes leaves behind wife Deb and sons James and Ben.
