Born: 4 June, 1907 – Blenheim Died: 7 January, 1947 – Wellington Test record: 3 Tests (1935) – 4 goals (8 points)
Goalkicking second-rower Cliff Satherley played all three Tests against the touring Australian side of 1935.
An Auckland rugby union rep from Manukau Rovers and Ponsonby, Satherley turned out for Hawke’s Bay and North Island in 1932. He returned to Auckland in 1933 and switched to rugby league with Richmond Rovers. Fast-tracked into the Auckland provincial team during his first season in the code, Satherley also represented North Island in 1934.
The following year Satherley was called into the New Zealand pack to debut in the first Test against Australia – one of nine Richmond players used during the series. He kicked two goals as the Kiwis won the opening Test at Carlaw Park 22-14 and added a goal in each of the convincing defeats in the second and third clashes.
The 28-year-old also played in both of Auckland’s matches against Australia that bookended the ’35 tour.
Injury impacted Satherley’s 1936 season before he moved to Mount Albert the following season for its initial campaign in the Auckland first grade competition. He was reinstated to rugby union – successfully arguing he had not received renumeration during his time in rugby league – and went on to represent Bay of Plenty and Waikato at provincial level.
He made a brief return with Richmond Rovers in 1943 but tragically died in 1947, aged 39, after going missing in Wellington; his body was found on Lyall Bay Beach three days after his disappearance.
Satherley’s younger brother and Richmond and Auckland teammate, fellow hooker Jack, played one Test for New Zealand in 1937 and toured Australia with the ’38 Kiwis.
