Born: c.1888 - Kawhia
Died: January 11, 1940 - Onehunga
Test record: 0 Tests
Tours: 1911 tour of Australia, 1912 tour of Australia, 1919 tour of Australia, 1921 tour of Australia
A New Zealand Māori rugby league pioneer, tough forward Jim Rukutai was inducted into the NZRL Legends of League in 2008 on the strength of representing New Zealand from 1911-21 and coaching the national side.
Rukutai played in the front-row in all 10 of New Zealand Māori momentous tour of Australia, scoring three tries - including in both games against Queensland and the second clash with Australia.
Joining City Rovers in 1910, he would become Manukau's first captain in 1912 before returning to Rovers during 1913.
Rukutai was first called up to the New Zealand team for the 1911 tour of Australia and scored four tries in eight appearances. He played against NSW and Queensland three times each.
In 1912, he played six matches (for two tries) on New Zealand's tour of Australia and scored a try in the national side's 18-10 loss to a touring NSW team in Auckland.
Rukutai returned to the New Zealand team for the 1919 tour of Australia, turning out in eight games. He was New Zealand's coach for the 1921 tour of Australia (again with no Tests played) and took the field in two games.
First coaching New Zealand Māori on their 1922 tour of Australia (where he filled in as a player for the match against Ipswich), Rukutai was an intermittent coach of the team until a memorable final assignment: the 16-5 upset of Australia at Carlaw Park in 1937.
Rukutai became a leader in for Māori advocacy and as an interpreter.