Born: 20 July, 1947 Test record: 1 Test (1969) – 0 points
Flying Point Chevalier winger Dennis Key played one Test against the 1969 Australian tourists.
The diminutive Key debuted for New Zealand Māori in 1967 and broke into the Auckland team the following season.
Despite not being selected for a New Zealand under-23s tour earlier in 1969, Key was picked on the wing for the series opener against Australia. He made way for debutant and future NZRL Team of the Century winger Phil Orchard after the 20-10 loss at Carlaw Park.
While further Kiwis opportunities eluded him, Key remained a valued clubman for Point Chevalier and later Glenora after switching to the halves, as well as being a mainstay for New Zealand Māori.
Key scored five tries on his way to being named player of the 1975 Pacific Cup in Papua New Guinea and was New Zealand Māori’s playmaking linchpin again as the Pacific Cup was retained at home two years later.
Key wore the No.7 for New Zealand Māori in a succession of close losses to Great Britain (1974, 1979) and Wales (1975), and a 10-all draw with Australia (1980), while he played his last match for New Zealand Māori against France in 1981 – 14 years after first representing.