Born: September 18, 1893 – Christchurch
Died: November 4, 1983 – Christchurch
Test record: 1 Test (1924) – 1 try (3 points)

Canterbury and Marist Old Boys utility Harry Mullins’ try in his only Test appearance helped New Zealand to a series-sealing victory over the 1924 English tourists in Wellington.

Halfback in the Canterbury rugby union team’s famous 6-4 win over South Africa at Lancaster Park in 1921, Mullins was selected to play for New Zealand against the touring New South Wales team but was mysteriously replaced by Ted Roberts on the eve of the match and was fated never to represent the All Blacks.

He was central to the Payne Trophy controversy, which saw Marist become a rugby league club in 1924, and made an immediate impact in his new code. Mullins played in the forward pack for Canterbury against England before reverting to five-eighth, while his call-up to the New Zealand team for the second Test came as a winger for the injured Bill Stuart.

Mullins scored New Zealand’s opening try after the hosts trailed 11-0, ultimately rallying to a 13-11 victory at the Basin Reserve. Fellow Cantabrian Stuart returned for the third Test and Mullins never represented his country again.