John Whittaker (rugby league)

John Whittaker
Personal information
Full name John Albert Whittaker
Playing information
Position Fullback, Wing, Centre

Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Randwick Kingfishers
1977–81 Warrington 54 4 0 0 12
Total 54 4 0 0 12
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Wellington 73
1970–82 New Zealand 26 8 0 0 24
Central Districts 9
1986 Cook Islands
Source: [1]

John Albert Whittaker[2] is a New Zealand former rugby league player of the 1970s and 1980s, who played at international level for the New Zealand Kiwis and the Cook Islands.[1]

Playing career

From the Randwick club, Whittaker also played for Wellington a record 73 times.[3][4] Whittaker was involved in Randwick's premierships in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1976 and 1983.[5]

Representative career

Whittaker made his international début for the New Zealand Kiwis in 1970 and went on to play for the Kiwis in twenty four matches, including four world cups. Whittaker's international career spanned thirteen seasons. Despite suffering major injuries in a motoring accident, Whittaker made a full recovery and was recalled in the early 1980s after two years out of the national side.[5]

Whittaker then represented the Cook Islands in the 1986 Pacific Cup.[6]

Notable tour matches

John Whittaker played as an interchange/substitute in Warrington's 15-12 victory over Australia at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Wednesday 11 October 1978.[7]

Legacy

In 2012 Whittaker was named as one of the New Zealand Rugby League's Legends of League.[8] At the Wellington Rugby League's Centenary celebrations, Whittaker was named as their player of the century. He was also named in their team of the century.

References

  1. 1 2 "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "WHITTAKER, John Albert 1970 - 72, 1975, 1977, 19 - Kiwi #485". nzleague.co.nz. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  3. ↑ "Randwick Kiwis". sportingpulse.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. ↑ Lion Red 1988 Rugby League Annual, New Zealand Rugby League, 1988. p.p.151-159
  5. 1 2 Team of the Century-Week 3 Wellington Rugby League
  6. ↑ John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. p. 246. ISBN 978-1-86969-331-2. ISBN 1-86969-331-0.
  7. ↑ "Warrington :: 15 - Australia :: 12 - date: 11th October 1978". wire2wolves.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  8. ↑ "Kiwis Coach One of Three New Legends of League Named". rugbyleagueproject.org. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
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