Moffett played just two tests, but was noted by the Irish press in his first match against England in 1961 when he scored eight of the team’s 11 points.
‘Moffett Destroys England’ was one of the headlines that day. ‘Ballymena blond bombshell blasts Irish to victory’ was another.
“The local newspaper published an article saying that there was no truth in the rumour that Moffett had come home with a suitcase full of newspapers and left his clothes in Dublin,” he said.
Unlike the bulk of today’s rugby players, Moffett said the job didn’t stop when he was off the field or at the training ground.
“They were the amateur days when I was playing. I had to take annual leave to go to the games,” he said.
Moffett continued to work for the ministry of agriculture as a forestry official in Northern Ireland while also keeping up with his training.
After two test matches, the world beckoned and Moffett took his agriculture skills abroad, settling in New Zealand in 1963.
What started with a block of ripe Hawke’s Bay peaches in 1968 grew into Moffett Orchards Ltd, one of the largest family-owned and operated orchards in Hawkes Bay.
The 86-year-old still works in the business today, with his sons managing most of the day-to-day operations.
He’s been chairman of Fruitpackers (HB) Cooperative Ltd since 1982 and the Moffett family group is the largest shareholder, at some 35 per cent.
“I’m still working. I’m helping the boys get messages in town.”
He said he wasn’t aware of a wider Irish community in the Bay or any large-scale celebrations, but said his family will all be showing their support on match day.
“I’ll be watching the game at my son’s place on Swamp Rd,” he said.
Understandably, he’ll likely skip out on a traditional pint of Guinness considering the timing of the match at 8am (NZ time).
“Not that early in the morning.”
Mitchell Hageman joined Hawke’s Bay Today in late January. From his Napier base, he writes regularly on social issues, arts and culture, and the community. He has a particular love for stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.