Roy Roper: Oldest living All Black player dies at 100

Former rugby three-quarter Roy Roper died on September 14, 2023, in New Plymouth, New Zealand, at the age of 100.

The centenarian had played rugby for Taranaki and the New Zealand national team, also known as the All Blacks, from 1949 to 1950.

Roper had celebrated his 100th birthday on August 11, 2023, and became the oldest living All Black.

About Roy Roper

Roy Roper played rugby from the time he attended New Plymouth Boys’ High School during his days.

Upon finishing high school, he began playing for Taranaki and the New Zealand All Blacks, and appeared in only five international matches for the All Blacks, scoring nine points.

Roper made his international debut with the All Blacks in 1949, in a game against Australia, and ended up scoring the team’s only try.

Roper additionally “served as treasurer of the Taranaki Rugby Football Union from 1952 to 1971.”

During World War II, Roper served with the Royal New Zealand Navy and “played as a winger in six matches for the New Zealand Services XV in England in the 1944-45 season.”

After the World War II, Roper was made a sub-lieutenant.