Born: 12 June, 1954 – Auckland
Test record: 0 Tests
Tours: 1975 World Championship, 1978 tour of Australia

Big Auckland front-rower John Wright made two trips to Australia with the Kiwis during the second half of the 1970s.

After touring NSW with an Auckland under-23s side and a stint in NSW country with Cootamundra that saw him represent Riverina against the 1974 Lions, Wright turned down an offer from Canterbury-Bankstown to return home and joined the dominant Otahuhu club.

Tipping the scales at 110kg, Wright was chosen in New Zealand’s 1975 World Championship Series squad. He did not play in the internationals but featured in three tour games in Queensland.

Wright returned to the Kiwis’ fold for the 1978 tour. He made eight appearances and scored a try against Illawarra but injuries impacted his ability to press for a Test spot.

The 24-year-old subsequently retired from rugby league to focus on scuba diving, setting New Zealand records in that sport.