Born: 24 September, 1925 – Wanganui
Died: 19 September, 2014
Test record: 1 Test (1954) – 0 points
Tours: 1952 tour of Australia

Stalwart Auckland hooker Roy Roff toured Australia with the Kiwis in 1952 and played his sole Test for New Zealand against Great Britain two years later.

Wanganui-born Roff came through the grades at Mt Albert and made the first of 29 appearances for Auckland and the first of four matches for North Island in 1947 after returning from a stint in the merchant navy during World War II.

Roff received his first Kiwis call-up for the trip across the Tasman as a 26-year-old in 1952. He was kept out of the Test side by George Davidson but scored tries in wins over Central Queensland and Central West Queensland among five appearances on tour.

The following year he was one of five Kiwis who bolstered the threadbare American All Stars squad on the New Zealand leg of their ground-breaking, but troubled, tour Down Under.

He was the sole debutant in New Zealand’s line-up for the series opener against the ’54 Lions but made way following the 27-7 defeat at Carlaw Park. However, Roff enjoyed a memorable after against the Brits in the last game of the tour, scoring the only try in Auckland’s 5-4 victory in a spiteful affair.

At club level, Roff joined North Shore for a successful stint as player-coach in 1953-54 before returning to finish his career at Mt Albert. He later founded the Waiuku Rugby League Club.