During a seven-year international career, Baxter played a record 94 games for the Kiwis, including 29 tests, and was reckoned to be the most punishing centre in world league.

He scored tries in notable Kiwi victories over Australia in 1949 and France in 1951 and, such was his size, was a difficult player to stop when on the burst.

He captained the Kiwis in Australia and Britain in 1955-56 before what many judges considered to be a premature retirement.

He scored 23 tries for New Zealand, plus a hat-trick in an interisland match and created countless others for his teammates.