John Whittaker (rugby league)

John Albert Whittaker[2] (28 March 1950 – 29 September 2020)[3] was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s at international level for the New Zealand national rugby league team and the Cook Islands.[1]

John Whittaker
Personal information
Full nameJohn Albert Whittaker
Born(1950-03-28)28 March 1950
Died29 September 2020(2020-09-29) (aged 70)
Playing information
PositionFullback, Wing, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Randwick Kingfishers
1977–81 Warrington 54 4 0 0 12
Total 54 4 0 0 12
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Wellington 73
1970–82 New Zealand 26 8 0 0 24
Central Districts 9
1986 Cook Islands
Source: [1]

Playing career

From the Randwick club, Whittaker also played for Wellington a record 73 times.[4][5] Whittaker was involved in Randwick's premierships in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1976 and 1983.[6]

Representative career

Whittaker made his international début for the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1970 and went on to play for the Kiwis in twenty four matches, including four world cups. Whittaker's international career spanned thirteen seasons. Despite suffering major injuries in a motoring accident, Whittaker made a full recovery and was recalled in the early 1980s after two years out of the national side.[6]

Whittaker then represented the Cook Islands in the 1986 Pacific Cup.[7]

Notable tour matches

John Whittaker played as an interchange/substitute in Warrington's 15-12 victory over Australia at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Wednesday 11 October 1978.[8]

Legacy

In 2012 Whittaker was named as one of the New Zealand Rugby League's Legends of League.[9] At the Wellington Rugby League's Centenary celebrations, Whittaker was named as their player of the century. He was also named in their team of the century.

Whittaker died on 29 September 2020, aged 70.[10]

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "Whittaker, John Albert 1970 - 72, 1975, 1977, 19 - Kiwi #485". nzleague.co.nz. 19 July 2011. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  3. "Death notice: Whittaker, John Albert". Dominion Post. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  4. "Randwick Kiwis". sportingpulse.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. Lion Red 1988 Rugby League Annual, New Zealand Rugby League, 1988. p.p.151-159
  6. Team of the Century-Week 3 Wellington Rugby League
  7. John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. p. 246. ISBN 978-1-86969-331-2. ISBN 1-86969-331-0.
  8. "Warrington :: 15 - Australia :: 12 - date: 11th October 1978". wire2wolves.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  9. "Kiwis Coach One of Three New Legends of League Named". rugbyleagueproject.org. 30 October 2012. Archived from the original on 12 January 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  10. Rugby league mourns 1970s Kiwis star John Whittaker, who has died of cancer
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