Born: 23 March, 1936 – Christchurch
Test record: 1 Test (1957) – 0 points
Tours: 1957 World Cup

Papanui’s Kevin Pearce made his only appearance for New Zealand during the 1957 World Cup in Australia.

A teenaged debutant for Canterbury in 1955, Pearce was chosen in the Kiwis’ World Cup squad two years later and partnered captain Cliff Johnson in the second-row in a 14-10 loss to France at Lang Park.

The hard-working forward kicked five goals for South Island against North Island in 1959 but a shoulder injury kept him out of the subsequent Kiwi trial.

Pearce continued to represent Canterbury until 1962 and played on for Papanui until 1966. He coached the club in 1968-69, steering the side to a Grand Final in the former year – a loss to Linwood in extra-time.