Born: January 23, 1892 Died: November 3, 1984 Test record: 0 Tests Tours: 1913 tour of Australia
Versatile Rotorua rugby league pioneer Rukingi Reke (also known as Joseph Reke or Joseph Rogers) played for New Zealand on home soil in 1912 and in Australia in 1913.
Reke represented New Zealand Māori (at fullback) and Rotorua (at centre) against the 1910 Northern Union tourists.
He was first selected for New Zealand for the sole 1912 clash with the visiting NSW side, lining up on the wing in an 18-10 loss in Auckland. He also played two matches at five-eighth for Auckland against NSW, scoring a try in a 10-3 win.
Reke made five appearances on New Zealand’s tour of Australia the following season, making appearances at halfback, five-eighth, fullback and centre.
To avoid scrutiny from rugby union officials, Reke purportedly played the 15-a-side game in later years under the name Joseph Rogers, turning out for Rotorua, Bay of Plenty and Māori Pioneers.