Born: June 5, 1943 Died: November 15, 2014 – Pattaya, Thailand Test record: 0 Tests Tours: 1963 tour of Australia
Richmond three-quarter John Sparnon was a teenaged tourist with the Kiwis in 1963.
Just 19 when he was chosen for the trip to Australia, Sparnon debuted for New Zealand at centre in a win over Southern Division and scored a try from the wing in a victory against North Coast.
In his third appearance, however, a week after celebrating his 20th birthday, Sparnon was injured as the Kiwis defeated Toowoomba, bringing his on-field contribution to the tour to a premature end.
Sparnon continued to represent Auckland in subsequent seasons, including in a win over NSW Country in 1965 and an upset of Australia in 1969.