Phillip Charles Orchard (28 July 1948 – 29 July 2018)[2] was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand 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.
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Phillip Charles Orchard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 28 July 1948 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 29 July 2018 (aged 70) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Wing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: [1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Robert Orchard (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career
editOrchard 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 national rugby league team in 1969 and remained a New Zealand representative until 1975, he played in 21 test matches for New Zealand 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.[3]
In 1972 Orchard moved to Wellington, joining the St. George club. He scored 29 tries and 30 goals for a total of 141 points in his first season for the club. In 1975 Orchard scored a Wellington club record of 43 tries. Orchard also represented the district in inter-provincial league, playing in 17 matches.[4][5]
He played for the New Zealand Māori side in 1972.[6]
Legacy
editAs of 2010, Orchard's 15 tries for the Kiwis puts him at sixth equal on the try-scoring charts.[7]
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.[8][9]
In 2012 he was named in the Wellington Rugby League's Team of the Century.
References
edit- ^ "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ Sparks, Zizi (2 August 2018). "Orchard family chain broken after league legend Phillip Orchard dies". Rotorua Daily Post. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
- ^ Three Kiwi Greats Inducted Into New Zealand Legends Of League Archived 19 December 2018 at the Wayback Machine rleague.com, 17 April 2007
- ^ Orchard, Phillip Charles 1969 - 72, 1975 - Kiwi #475 nzleague.co.nz
- ^ Team of the Century - Week 2 Wellington Rugby League
- ^ John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. p. 188. ISBN 9781869693312.
- ^ Playing Records nzrl.co.nz
- ^ "Graham is best in 100 years". The Sunday Star-Times. 2 December 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ Legends of League New Zealand Rugby League