Born: July 18, 1953 – Auckland
Test record: 3 Tests (1978, 1983) – 17 goals, 1 field goal (35 points)
Tours: 1978 tour of Australia

Auckland’s goalkicking fullback Nick Wright played just three Tests – two of them against Papua New Guinea – but he holds a cherished place in Kiwis folklore for a starring role in one of their greatest-ever victories after a five-year absence from the international arena.

The son of New Zealand Māori rep Jack Wright, Nick was a long-serving Otahuhu player and Auckland rep before receiving his maiden Kiwis call-up for the 1978 tour of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Injuries hampered his bid to break into the Test team in Australia

But he ultimately top-scored with 101 points from just eight matches – including a 21-point haul against Wide Bay – and was selected at fullback for the historic one-off Test in Papua New Guinea, kicking six goals in a 30-21 victory.

Wright drifted into the wilderness in terms of New Zealand selection, but he debuted for New Zealand Māori in a narrow loss to Great Britain in 1979, and played for both Auckland and New Zealand Māori against France in 1981.

New Kiwis coach Graham Lowe put his faith in his former Otahuhu charge when first-choice fullback Gary Kemble was ruled out of the second Test against Australia in 1983. Wright, by now with Manukau, proved an inspired replacement choice, kicking three goals and a field goal in the 19-12 boilover at Lang Park, as well as producing a memorable cover tackle on Mal Meninga.

Thirty-year-old Wright played one more Test later that year, kicking eight goals in a 60-20 defeat of Papua New Guinea at Carlaw Park. He played alongside his younger brother, second-rower Owen, who had debuted for the Kiwis in 1982 and was appearing in his second Test.

The custodian spent the 1983-84 off-season with Oldham and represented Auckland until 1985, squaring off against Australia that year.