Papanui's Kevin Pearce made his only appearance for New Zealand during the 1957 World Cup in Australia.A teenaged debutant for Canterbury in 1955, Pearce was chosen in the Kiwis' World Cup squad two years later and partnered captain Cliff Johnson in the second-row in a 14-10 loss to France at Lang Park.The hard-working forward kicked five goals for South Island against North Island in 1959 but a shoulder injury kept him out of the subsequent Kiwi trial.Pearce continued to represent Canterbury until 1962 and played on for Papanui until 1966. He coached the club in 1968-69, steering the side to a Grand Final in the former year - a loss to Linwood in extra-time.