John Yates
New Zealand rugby union and rugby league footballer
About John Yates
Lived 1930 – 2003 (aged 73). John Yates was a New Zealand rugby league player and rugby union player.
John Yates is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in two World Cups. His brother, Victor, was a New Zealand rugby union representative and played rugby league for Auckland while his father, Moses, represented North Auckland in rugby union.
Playing career Yates originally played rugby union, playing his first senior game for Rarawa and was chosen for North Auckland.
In 1953 Yates switched codes and he quickly became an Auckland representative and first played for the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1954. He was part of both the 1954 and 1957 World Cup squads.
In 1958 he was part of Auckland Rugby League's first ever Grand Final, being part of the Otahuhu Leopards side that lost 7-16 to Ponsonby.
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Important facts
People in John Yates's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Yates's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Yates?
New Zealand rugby union and rugby league footballer
When was John Yates born?
John Yates was born on 19 March 1930 in New Zealand.
When did John Yates die?
John Yates died on 23 July 2003.
What was John Yates's occupation?
John Yates was a rugby league player and rugby union player.
What nationality was John Yates?
John Yates was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Yates (rugby league)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Yates. https://biography.guide/john-yates-rugby-league-player/
MLA: "John Yates." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-yates-rugby-league-player/.
Chicago: "John Yates." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-yates-rugby-league-player/.
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