Des Barchard

Desmond Alfred Barchard (1924–1987) was a New Zealand former rugby league footballer, and coach who represented and coached New Zealand. Barchard was the coach of the Kiwis in the 1968 and 1972 World Cups. His uncle, Len Barchard also played for New Zealand, while his other uncle, Laurie Barchard played senior rugby league for City for several years. Another relative, Vic Barchard played 44 games for Marist seniors from 1939 to 1942 after being a junior for the Akarana club in the early 1930s.

Birth Des Barchard was born on 23 December 1922. He was selected for the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1947 (Kiwi No. 307) and went on to play in ten Test matches for New Zealand (1947, 48, 50-52). In 1953, his final year of representative football for Auckland, he was drawn into the touring US All Stars side as they were short of players for their New Zealand leg of the tour.

Des was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Howick Hornets RLFC (Auckland) for service to the Club as a founding member.

Coaching career Barchard was the coach of the New Zealand national rugby league team at the 1968 and 1972 World Cups. The Kiwis did not win a match in either tournament.

Death On 2 January 1987, Barchard died at the age of 64.