CYRIL PASKELL – KIWI #352

The first international produced by the Christchurch club (later Eastern Suburbs), Cyril Paskell played on the wing in New Zealand’s series-sealing Test victory over Australia in Wellington in 1953.

Paskell was regularly utilised in the halves at club level and for Canterbury, but he was on the flank for South Island’s win over North Island and its clash with Australia in 1953 – after which he called into the Kiwis’ line-up.

The 26-year-old, a Kiwi triallist two years earlier, replaced the injured Bevan Hough in the only change to the side that won the first Test 25-5 in Christchurch, playing his part in a 12-11 victory at Basin Reserve. Paskell was relegated to the role of non-playing reserve for the third Test in favour of Auckland debutant Vern Bakalich.

Paskell also represented Canterbury at centre against France in 1951 and on the wing versus the 1954 Great Britain tourists. He later coached at Halswell after the club’s formation in 1960.

CYRIL PASKELL
NEW ZEALAND (1953)
1 Test – 0 points

Halswell 1961: Player-coach and former Kiwi Cyril Paskell is third from left in the second row