Born: February 10, 1945
Died: March 10, 2020
Test record: 18 Tests (1965-67, 1970-72) - 5 tries, 4 goals (23 points)
Tours: 1965 tour of Britain and France, 1967 tour of Australia, 1971 tour of Britain and France, 1972 tour of Australia
The older brother of New Zealand Team of the Century winger Phillip Orchard, powerhouse Bay of Plenty and Auckland forward Robert Orchard carved out an impressive 18-Test tenure in the Kiwis pack between 1965 and 1972.
Reportedly only 14 when he first played senior football for Ngongotaha in the Bay of Plenty, Orchard was only 17 when he played in the centres for the province against the 1962 Lions. He played for Bay of Plenty against France two years later - this time as a second-rower - and earned his Kiwis spurs on 1965 tour of Britain and France, having been called into the New Zealand squad as a reserve during that year's series against Australia.
The tyro made his Test debut in the 15-9 loss to Great Britain in the second match of the series at Odsal Stadium, before featuring in all three Tests of the whitewash loss to France - scoring New Zealand's only try in the opening clash.
Orchard featured in the second Test against the 1966 Lions before moving to Auckland with Ellerslie and touring Australia with the Kiwis in 1967, where he played in the second and third Tests. After two seasons on the outer, he returned for all three Tests against Great Britain in 1970 - lining up alongside Phillip for the first time - and scored a try in the third encounter in Auckland.
In his 11th Test match, Orchard finally tasted victory - and scored another try in a stunning 24-3 upset of Australia at a muddy Carlaw Park. He subsequently turned out in all six Tests on the Kiwis' 'Grand Slam' tour of Britain and France, crossing for tries in both series openers despite starting both on the bench.
Orchard played one more Test for New Zealand, kicking four goals in the 36-11 series-opening loss to Australia at the SCG in 1972. He represented New Zealand MΔori against Auckland earlier that season.
The hardman moved to Queensland in 1973 and represented the state in two matches against NSW that year. He played for Redcliffe, Mt Isa, Mackay and Cairns during his time in Australia, predominantly as a player-coach.