Phillip Orchard

Phillip Charles Orchard is a former New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country in the 1972 and 1975 World Cups. He was later named in the New Zealand Rugby League's Team of the Century. His brother Robert was also a New Zealand representative.

Playing career

Orchard played with the Ngongotaha Chiefs in the Bay of Plenty Rugby League alongside his three brothers, Robert, Eddie and John. He was a Bay of Plenty representative.

Orchard first made the New Zealand Kiwis in 1969 and remained a New Zealand representative until 1975, he played in 21 test matches for his country including at two World Cup. His try in the 1971 tour of Great Britain secured New Zealand's first series win on British soil since the 1907-08 All Golds.^[1] In 1972 Orchard moved to Wellington, and represented the district in inter-provincial league.^[2] As of 2010, his 15 tries for the Kiwis puts him at sixth equal on the try-scoring charts.^[3]

He was named one of New Zealand Rugby League's "Legends of League" in 2001 and in 2007 was named in the New Zealand Rugby League's Team of the Century.^[4][5]

References