Waate Potaka
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Waate Potaka
| birth_name = Waate Pene Potaka
| birth_date = c. 1903
| birth_place = Taihape, New Zealand
| death_date = 3 November 1967
| death_place = Taihape, New Zealand
| school = Te Aute College
| position = Utility back
| repyears1 = 1923
| repyears2 =
| repyears3 = 1922–23, 1926–27
| repteam1 = {{Nrut|New Zealand}}
| repteam2 = Māori All Blacks
| amatteam1 = Rata
| amatteam2 =
| amatteam3 = Aotea
| amatteam4 = Ratana
| province1 = {{Rut|Wanganui}}
| provinceyears1 = 1918, 20, 23, 25–26, 30–31
| amatyears1 = 1918, 20, 23, 25–26
| amatyears2 =
| amatyears3 = 1930
| amatyears4 = 1931
| provinceapps1 = 25
| provincepoints1 =
| repcaps1 = 2
| repcaps2 =
| repcaps3 = 50
| reppoints1 = 3
}}
Waate "Pat" Pene Potaka (c.1903 – 3 November 1967){{Cite web|url=http://www.familytreecircles.com/new-zealand-representative-all-blacks-1884-1980-nathan-to-young-36444.html|title=the 1,109 New Zealand ALL BLACKS from 1884 - NATHAN to YOUNG :: FamilyTreeCircles.com Genealogy|website=www.familytreecircles.com|access-date=24 July 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://ngairedith.tribalpages.com/tribe/browse?userid=ngairedith&view=78&randi=423497715&storyid=36628|title=PECK of Taita - Family Tree|website=ngairedith.tribalpages.com|access-date=24 July 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/newzealand/rugby/player/2909.html|title=Waate Pene Potaka|website=ESPN scrum|access-date=24 July 2016}} was a New Zealand rugby union player who represented the All Blacks in 1923 and the Māori All Blacks between 1922 and 1927. He was regarded as a utility back, as he played in every back position throughout his career.
Although his birth name was Waate, Potaka was generally known as Pat.{{Cite web|url=http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/profile.asp?ABID=708|title=Stats {{!}} allblacks.com|website=stats.allblacks.com|access-date=24 July 2016}}{{Cite book|title=The Encyclopedia of New Zealand Rugby|last=Chester|first=Rod|last2=McMillan|first2=Neville|last3=Palenski|first3=Ron|publisher=Moa Publications|year=1987|isbn=0-908570-16-3|location=Auckland, New Zealand|pages=135}}
He was born in Taihape, but was educated at Te Aute College in the Hawke's Bay region.
Career
= Provincial =
= All Blacks =
After playing in the 1923 North against South Island match, Potaka gained his only two appearances for the All Blacks, both of which were against New South Wales. The first was played in Dunedin and the second in Christchurch where he came on as a substitute onto the wing and then scored a try.
The next year in 1924 Potaka trialled to be selected for the team that would go on to be nicknamed The Invincibles. He was not selected.
= Māori All Blacks =
Potaka first played for the Māori All Blacks in 1922.
He was selected for the 1926–27 tour of New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, Europe and Canada. He played in 18 matches on the great tour. Potaka mainly played in the centre position on the tour, but at times was used at fullback and five-eighths.
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:New Zealand rugby union players
Category:New Zealand international rugby union players
Category:New Zealand Māori people
Category:Māori All Blacks players
Category:People educated at Te Aute College