Born: 1968 (Napier) No 8/lock

International record: 2 matches, 1992 (2 tests v World XV) Representative record: Hawkes Bay, 1986 (Napier BHS), 1987, 1988 (Technical OB), North Harbour 1989-1996 (Northcote)

Richard Turner was a schoolboy prodigy who never quite ful­filled his potential at the highest level, partly because of a badly broken wrist that had to be reset several times.

Turner had a glowing reputation when he joined Northcote in 1989, having represented Hawke's Bay three years earlier while still a pupil at Napier Boys High School. However) with Buck Shelford an automatic selection at No 8 for North Harbour - Turner's preferred position - the newcomer had to make do variously at lock and flanker.

But he still managed to impress the New Zealand selectors sufficiently to break into the All Blacks for the 1992 centenary series against a World XV, scoring a try on debut in Christchurch.

He replaced Paul Henderson as a replacement in the second test of that series, which was to be his final outing in the black jersey.

He played another four seasons with North Harbour, showing genuine leadership qualities in the wake of Shelford's retirement, which led him being accorded the captaincy of the Waikato Chiefs in the first year of the Super 12, 1996.

He rounded out his playing career in Italy and Japan.