Born: 15 November, 1932
Died: 17 June, 2015
Test record: 0 Tests
Tours: 1956 tour of Australia

Stalwart Richmond hooker John Lasher played eight games on the Kiwis’ 1956 tour of Australia but was kept out of the Test line-up by New Zealand Team of the Century hooker Jock Butterfield.

Lasher made his debut early in the tour against Newcastle and enjoyed his finest performance in a 53-8 defeat of North Queensland, scoring three tries.

Further opportunities with the Kiwis did not eventuate, but Lasher was nevertheless a valued performer at club and rep level. He featured in Auckland’s 46-13 thrashing of the 1962 Lions, and the province’s capture of the Northern Union Cup and its match against France in 1964 – his last year in the game before hanging up the boots.

Lasher was also a highly-rated sailor, winning national Silver Fern and 18-footer championships and competing in the World Championships in the 18-footer and quarter ton divisions.