Roy Christian
Encyclopedia
Fletcher Roy Christian MBE
is a New Zealand retired international rugby league
footballer of the 1960s and 1970s. A centre three-quarter, he captained his country in the sport.
in 1966 Christian was awarded the Lipscombe Cup
for Premier One sportsman of the year. Injury however saw him miss the 1968 World Cup
.
Christian was part of the Auckland side
that defeated Australia in 1969. He was appointed captain of the New Zealand national side in 1970 and played in that year's World Cup
.
In 1971 Christian captained New Zealand to a famous victory against Australia at Carlaw Park
. Also in 1971, his Kiwis side became the first New Zealand touring team to win a test series in Britain.
The 1972 World Cup saw the last time Christian represented New Zealand. He retired with little fanfare as no test matches were scheduled for 1973. He had played in 74 matches for the Kiwis, including 32 tests.
Christian also captained the New Zealand Māori rugby league team
.
in the 1972 Queen's Birthday Honours.
After retirement Christian served as the Otahuhu Leopards
chairman before becoming a Minister in the Presbyterian Church.
In 2007 he was inducted as one of the New Zealand Rugby League
's "Legends of League".
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
is a New Zealand retired international rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1960s and 1970s. A centre three-quarter, he captained his country in the sport.
Playing career
Christian played his first Test match in 1965 against Australia. While playing for OtahuhuOtahuhu Leopards
The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, New Zealand. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. They are coached by Peter Caccioppoli. Between 2000 and 2003 they also competed in the Bartercard Cup.The team are the current holders of...
in 1966 Christian was awarded the Lipscombe Cup
Auckland Rugby League club trophies
-Trophies:There are approximately 24 trophies which have been competed for in Auckland Rugby League history by clubs. These include the following for teams; Fox Memorial Shield, Rukutai Shield, Roope Rooster, Stormont Shield, Kiwi Shield, A.R.L Trophy, Sharman Cup, Lawson Cup, Walmsley Shield, ARL...
for Premier One sportsman of the year. Injury however saw him miss the 1968 World Cup
1968 Rugby League World Cup
- Final standings :-Final:The final had been billed a 'debacle' following Great Britain's inexplicable loss to France in Auckland, leaving them to contest the final despite being beaten by Australia seven tries to none two days prior....
.
Christian was part of the Auckland side
Auckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
that defeated Australia in 1969. He was appointed captain of the New Zealand national side in 1970 and played in that year's World Cup
1970 Rugby League World Cup
The fifth Rugby League World Cup was held in Great Britain in 1970. Britain, fresh from defeating Australia in the Ashes, were hot favourites, and won all three of their group stage games. All the other nations lost two games each, and Australia qualified for the final largely on the back of an...
.
In 1971 Christian captained New Zealand to a famous victory against Australia at Carlaw Park
Carlaw Park
Carlaw Park was a multi-purpose stadium in Parnell, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand.-History:The stadium's grandstands and terraces were built in 1916, and it became the home of rugby league in Auckland from 1921...
. Also in 1971, his Kiwis side became the first New Zealand touring team to win a test series in Britain.
The 1972 World Cup saw the last time Christian represented New Zealand. He retired with little fanfare as no test matches were scheduled for 1973. He had played in 74 matches for the Kiwis, including 32 tests.
Christian also captained the New Zealand Māori rugby league team
New Zealand Maori rugby league team
-See also:* New Zealand national rugby league team* New Zealand Māori rugby union team* New Zealand Māori cricket team-External links:* Google Books...
.
Later years
Christian was awarded a MBEMBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
in the 1972 Queen's Birthday Honours.
After retirement Christian served as the Otahuhu Leopards
Otahuhu Leopards
The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, New Zealand. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. They are coached by Peter Caccioppoli. Between 2000 and 2003 they also competed in the Bartercard Cup.The team are the current holders of...
chairman before becoming a Minister in the Presbyterian Church.
In 2007 he was inducted as one of the New Zealand Rugby League
New Zealand Rugby League
The New Zealand Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. The NZRL was founded on the 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year....
's "Legends of League".
External links
- Past Kiwis Caps - C at NZRL.co.nz