Des White

White played his first senior game with the Auckland Rugby League's Ponsonby club in 1947. White toured Britain with the New Zealand national team in 1951, playing in the first ever televised match of rugby league at Station Road, Swinton against Great Britain and kicking two goals. White scored 132 points in 21 tests, a Kiwi record until overtaken by Matthew Ridge. His total of 467 points in 61 matches in the black and white jersey may never be overtaken now that long tours are a thing of the past. White's record 202 points on the tour of Britain and France in 1951/52 will probably last forever. ==Later years==

Following his retirement, White became a coach and led Auckland. He was appointed coach of the New Zealand national team in 1961, only spending one season in the position. Des White was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1995 he was one of the inaugural inductees of the NZRL's Legends of League. He was also an Auckland Rugby League Immortal. In 2007, White was named at fullback in the New Zealand Rugby League's team of the century of 1907 to 2007. White also became a grocer, owning the New World Papatoetoe supermarket for a number of years. White died at Red Beach on 13 December 2023, at the age of 96. ==References==