1907–08 New Zealand rugby tour of Australia and Great Britain

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Not to be confused with 1907 New Zealand rugby union tour of Australia.
Souvenir of the New Zealand Rugby Football Team as published in 1907

The 1907–1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Australia and Great Britain was made by a group of

toured
the Northern Hemisphere in 1905.

The idea for a professional rugby tour was conceived by

Albert Baskiville, a player from the Wellington region of New Zealand. Baskiville managed to recruit a significant number of international and provincial representatives for the team; including George Smith who toured with the All Blacks team of 1905. The team played their first match in Sydney in 1907 against New South Wales. The success of the team's three matches in Sydney prompted the formation of the New South Wales Rugby League, and also saw them recruit Australian Dally Messenger
for their tour of Wales and England. After stopping over in Ceylon, the team arrived in England on 30 September 1907. The team played 35 matches in England and Wales, including a Test match against Wales, and three Tests against England. They returned via Australia where they played a further ten matches, including three Test matches against Australia. They won a total of 26 of their 46 matches.

The tour firmly established rugby league in both New Zealand and Australia, and was commemorated by a centenary tour in 2007—the 2007 All Golds Tour.

Background

See also: History of rugby league

New Zealand Rugby Union making a profit of £12,000.[3] However, in New Zealand some discontent about the state of rugby union's rules and the lack of ability to compensate players for time lost from work were beginning to rise.[2] These tensions were similar to the ones that had led to the 1895 schism in England that had created the Northern Union
. In addition the Originals were only paid 3/- a day expenses while on tour, a token amount when the Rugby Union was making such a profit.

Tour preparations

J J Giltinan about starting the code in Sydney.[3]
Smith's role in starting the game in Australasia was crucial as he had a wide set of connections and was a well known sporting celebrity, being an Original, a world class sprinter and a champion jockey.

In early 1907 Baskiville wrote to the Northern Rugby Football Union (NRFU) asking if they would wish to host a tour of a New Zealand rugby team. As the North of England had not had any international rugby since the tour of the

1888-1889 New Zealand Native football team, the NRFU was enthusiastic. On 26 March 1907 it advised its member clubs that it was "very favourably disposed" to the tour and suggested that the tourists be paid 70% of the gates with a guarantee of £3000.[3] The Northern Union informed Baskiville that the tour should go ahead and by May plans were firmly underway in New Zealand. Baskiville then resigned his job at the New Zealand Post Office to plan the tour full-time.[3]

amateurism. However, as the co-operative nature of the tour became more widely known the touring party gained some public sympathy and the Rugby Union appeared to be increasingly the one out of touch with public opinion.[3]

Baskiville assembled a team of selectors;

Wellington and Auckland teams that had recently been battling over the Ranfurly Shield
.

1907 in Australia

Messenger played against the All Blacks in Sydney and then joined them on their tour of Great Britain

With the tour plans well underway George Smith contacted Peter Moir, a prominent Sydney player, asking if it would be possible to arrange a set of games in Sydney. Moir contacted others including J J Giltinan, who Smith had already talked to, before replying that a series of games would be able to be arranged.[3] Rugby players in Sydney shared many of the New Zealand players' concerns about payment and rules. On 8 August 1907 the New South Wales Rugby League was formed. The New South Welshmen organised quickly and were ready to welcome the New Zealanders when the main touring party arrived on 13 August 1907. The New South Wales rugby union side had defeated the New Zealand rugby union team 14–0 in their second of two matches in 1907 and so were expected to be tough opponents, especially as the professional All Blacks had yet to form combinations and several of the Auckland-based players had not yet arrived in Sydney.

The first game was played on the

Royal Agricultural Society Ground to a sold-out crowd of 20,000. Played under rugby union rules, the visitors led 6–0 at halftime and closed out the match, winning 12–8.[3] The stars of the first game were Richard Wynyard for New Zealand and Dally Messenger for the New South Wales side. The game was deemed to be a great success, as the organisers had not expected a crowd over 12,000.[3]

The New South Wales team who played the All Golds in Sydney

The second game, a mid-week game, was held in front of a crowd of approximately 3,000. The All Blacks, who had made several changes, defeated the "All Blues" 19–5.

The New Zealanders then won the third match of the series 5–3 in front of a crowd of 8,000 at the Agricultural Ground.[5] Dally Messenger, playing his first game as captain, again starred and was invited to join the touring party.

It is unclear when the decision to invite Messenger was made, with some reports saying that he was recommended to Baskiville in New Zealand by

New Zealand Rugby Union had issued life bans to all of those involved in the tour.[3]

The financial success of the All Golds' games in Sydney gave valuable momentum to Giltinan and Co.'s scheme to introduce a

professional district rugby football competition in Sydney the following season.[8]

1907-08 in England and Wales

While on the long sea voyage from Australia, the men tried to keep fit by training on the deck. During a stop over in

Ceylon 33–8.[3] As a result of this match the rugby union New Zealand side declined to play the Ceylonese on the return leg of their tour, deeming that Ceylon had forfeited their amateur status by playing against Baskerville's men.[9]

During the voyage the tourists also played a game of cricket against the ships officers and first class passengers and were again victorious, winning by an innings.[3] McGregor and Messenger proved to be the best bowlers in the touring party.[3]

The arrival of the team was met with great anticipation in the

Boulogne before they boarded the Empress. They reached England on 30 September 1907, arriving in Folkestone. The visitors were met by the main officials of the Northern Rugby Football Union. The team stayed the night in London, where the Northern Union officials introduced the side to the press – near the headquarters of the English Rugby Union.[3] The next day the side travelled north to Leeds where they were met at the station by a crowd of about 6,000, all keen to see the touring All Blacks.[3] After they had arrived the tourists had two weeks before their first game. They spent the time based in Leeds, training and adapting to both the new rules of the Northern Union and the colder climate.[10] They also watched Leeds and Hunslet
play a local derby game – the first time they had seen the new rules in operation.

The first game was held on 9 October 1907 against

Bramley. Around 8,000 spectators packed McLaren Field in Bramley to see the All Blacks win 25–6 in their first game under the Northern Union rules.[11] In their second game against Huddersfield the tourists, keen for as many players as possible to get a run, selected a team mostly made up of players who were not involved in the first match.[3] They still managed to defeat Huddersfield, winning 19–8 with Lance Todd playing a key role in the game played before a crowd of over 10,000. After the first two matches the touring side met with the Northern Union and discussed the first two games; they also received their first payment – a cheque for £448–15–6.[3] The tour then moved on to Lancashire where the team played Widnes at Naughton Park before a new ground record crowd, resulting in a 26–11 victory.[12] Just two days later the visitors met the Broughton Rangers, who were at the time a powerhouse of the Northern Union. Regarded as the All Blacks' "first big test" the match was played in front of a large crowd of 24,000.[3]
New Zealand took an early lead in the game and, despite a spirited Broughton comeback in a torrential downpour, held out to win 20–14.

The All Blacks next travelled to

Chelsea Football Club's Stamford Bridge. The third match was scheduled for Whaddon Road in Cheltenham, the same ground that the amateur All Blacks had played on several years earlier. For the Northern Union this series of matches represented a chance to expand their game into areas of England dominated by rugby union and association football. Also at this time the New Zealand team, with an increasing list of injuries, moved their base from Leeds to Ilkley, a spa town
in Yorkshire.

The tour's next match was in

Guy Fawkes Day and Smith, Messenger, Billy Wynyard, Cross and Gilchrist were all unavailable.[3]
8,000 supporters turned up to the match, Keighley's biggest gate at the time, and Keighley led at half time. However the All Blacks fought back and won the match 9–7 to remain unbeaten after two months of football.

The next game was against

Leigh, the weather was again poor and the All Blacks were again beaten in the rain, losing 15–9. They lost again in their next match, as 15,000 spectators watched Oldham win 8–7 in drenching rain and, in the second half, a snowstorm.[3] By now it was established that in good weather the visiting side were able to beat anybody, however in the wet weather their backs were not able to handle the ball and matches were a much closer affair.[3] During the next Wednesday's game New Zealand were again defeated in the rain, dominated by the Runcorn RFC
forwards they lost 9–0. After a string of defeats and poor weather the side's management decided to re-locate and the team was moved to Manchester, seeking slightly better weather.

The touring side next played a combined

Halifax, the League champions, 9–4. The All Blacks' next game was against Yorkshire, the first of their matches against County representative sides. The visitors were ready for this game and defeated the proud rugby county 23–4. New Zealand's next game was against the current Challenge Cup holders, Warrington. Ten thousand spectators watched the Warrington side pip the All Blacks 8–7 despite the visitors being ahead 7–5 at half time. The tourists spent Christmas Day in Manchester before heading to Leeds to take on Hunslet in a boxing day match. New Zealand were ahead 9–0 at halftime and were leading 11–8 in the second half when the home team had a player sent off, the first of the tour. However Hunslet still managed to score and the final result was an 11-all draw. Two days later the tourists played Salford
, and won 9–2 in front of 12,000 people.

The test matches

Wales

New Year's Day saw the touring party head to Wales for their first international match. Aberdare Athletic Ground was the venue of the first ever rugby league international on 1 January 1908, played between Wales and New Zealand.[13][14] The New Zealand Rugby League later recognised this match as New Zealand's first test match.[2] Aberdare had been chosen for the venue as it could hold a larger capacity than Merthyr, in the end 20,000 Welshmen turned up. The Welsh side contained a former Welsh amateur international as well as several players who had been playing in the Northern Union for years.

WALES:

Dai Rees, Howell de Francis
.

NEW ZEALAND:

Hercules Wright
(c).

1 January 1908
Wales  9–8  New Zealand
Tries:
Jones
 [15]
 Tries:
W.Wynyard
Goals: Messenger
Aberdare Athletic Ground, Aberdare

Attendance: 20,000
Dai Jones
scored the winning try for Wales in the first match of international rugby league

New Zealand led the match 8–3 at halftime but the Welsh came back and

Dai Jones scored a try with only minutes to go that put the Welsh 9–8 in front. Dick Wynyard then dropped a pass in front of the try line and the Welsh won the first international rugby league match.[10]

The day after the game the touring party left Wales, heading back to Kingston upon Hull for their second visit, this time to play the Hull Kingston Rovers. The All Blacks somewhat rebounded, winning 6–3 in a tightly fought contest. Reaching the business end of the tour, the New Zealanders next headed north to play the representative Cumberland side. Here they were defeated 21–9 after resting several key players for the international against England.

England

The tourist next played an England XIII at

Duke of Portland's residence and they were pleased to be able to meet the famous New Zealand racing horse Carbine, all of the touring party being given a small lock of the horse's hair as a parting gift.[3]

The tourists now moved their base to Blackpool but their form did not improve, losing to the Lancashire county team 20–4. Going into the three test series against the Northern Union it was clear that they were not full of confidence.

Test one

Going into the first test Dally Messenger, Duncan McGregor and Conrad Byrne were all unavailable due to influenza. Great Britain was boosted by England and Wales having both already played New Zealand, the two teams had then played each other to complete the tri-series. The weather too was poor, thick fog blamed for a low crowd, half of the 16,000 that had been predicted.[3]

NORTHERN UNION:

Dai Jones, Asa Robinson, Arthur Smith, Harry Wilson, Silas Warwick
.

NEW ZEALAND:

Hercules Wright (c), Massa Johnston, William Trevarthen
.

25 January 1908
Northern Union  14–6  New Zealand
Tries: Robinson (2), Leytham, Llewellyn
Goals: Jolley 		[16]
 Tries: Turtill, R.Wynyard
Headingley, Leeds
Attendance: 8,182

After thirty minutes it the game was still scoreless, until Jolley finally broke the deadlock with a drop goal. By half time Great Britain was up 8–0.

Dick Wynyard
missed an opportunity to level the scores after he had taken an intercept at halfway but failed to reach his support. Robinson then scored to put the home side ahead 14–3. Wynyard then scored a late try but it was not enough and the All Blacks were again defeated, losing the first ever test match between New Zealand and Great Britain.

The tourists then lost again, this time going down 5–3 in a mid week game against

York. January had not been a good month for the All Blacks with just one win from seven. Leading up to the second test the New Zealanders returned to Wales to play Ebbw Vale
on 1 February. Here they finally returned to the winning circle, winning 3–2.

Test two

The second test was the first time that rugby league had been played in London, and as a result the match was deemed to be important for the Northern Union's chances of expanding into the rest of England.

NORTHERN UNION:

Dai Jones, Arthur Smith, George Thomas, Harry Wilson, Silas Warwick
.

NEW ZEALAND:

Charles Dunning
.

8 February 1908
Northern Union  6–18  New Zealand
Tries: Eccles, Leytham [17]
 Tries: Smith, Johnston, Todd, R.Wynyard
Goals: Messenger (3)
Stamford Bridge, London
Attendance: 14,000

In the second test match New Zealand completely outplayed Great Britain, with the home side being held score less until the last five minutes. The tourists' win set up the series at 1-all and the spotlight then moved to Cheltenham, the scene of the third and deciding test match.

Test three

The morning before the third and final test match was filled with rain. The weather may have contributed to the reduced crowd, although the game was being played in the Midlands in an area that was a stronghold of rugby union. The Great Britain selectors had made a series of changes for the third match and had included Billy Batten, who was making his international debut. In contrast the visitors' team remained unchanged from their win in the second test.

NORTHERN UNION:

Jim Clampitt, Harry Wilson, Arthur Smith
.

NEW ZEALAND:

Charles Dunning
.

15 February 1908
Northern Union  5–8  New Zealand
Tries:
White
 [18]
 Tries: Messenger, Jonhston
Goals:Wrigley
Whaddon Road, Cheltenham
Attendance: 4,000

The British began the game on the attack and scored early through a White penalty. Because of the conditions the match developed into a forwards slog. Just before half time Great Britain scored and took a 5–0 lead into the break. However, with the wind at their backs, the New Zealanders dominated the second half. They were held out by the British however until, with just seven minutes to go, the tourists finally scored through Messenger. The try was converted and the score was 5-all. With a few minutes remaining Tom "Angry" Cross was sent off. This seemed to inspire the All Black forwards and they pushed hard in a scrum near the British line, resulting in Massa Johnston crashing over to score the winning try. The New Zealand side therefore had won the first rugby league test series 2–1.

The tourists then returned North for their final game in England, a re-match against

Jim Gleeson all also opted to stay behind, with McGregor opening a sports shop and playing for Merthyr Tydfil, Lavery signing with Leeds and Gleeson completing his legal studies at the Inns of Court
. The rest of the team left Great Britain on 29 February 1908.

1908 in Australia

The New Zealanders arrived in Australia on 9 April 1908 lacking match fitness after the sea voyage and being short of backs. Several had stayed in Britain and Messenger was to revert to his home teams to play for

New South Wales Rugby Football League clubs that were preparing for the 1908 NSWRFL season, Australia's first in rugby league, and helped advise them on the rules of the new game.[7]

The tourists stayed in Sydney long enough to watch the first round of the new premiership season, which began on Easter Monday, before heading north to Newcastle.[19] Here they played a Newcastle side at rugby union, defeating them 53–6. They then played a "Northern Districts" selection and defeated them 37–8 in the first ever game of rugby league played in Newcastle.[19] The visit by the touring New Zealand side boosted the profile of rugby league in Newcastle as the Newcastle Rebels were at the time playing all their matches away in Sydney. As a result of the visit playing numbers in Newcastle surged and in 1910 the Rebels dropped out of the Sydney competition to form their own league.[19]

The touring side then returned to Sydney for two matches against New South Wales. The first game was played on 2 May. Sydney had produced a very warm day for the match and the Australian ground suited the open passing of the new Northern Rugby Football Union's rules. The Blues were ahead 14–7 at half time and went on to win the match 18–10. The crowd was impressed with the new code and remained behind after the match to applaud the two teams. This game helped ensure that rugby league would become the dominant winter code in New South Wales.[3] The second game was just as open and the New South Wales side again managed to win 13–10, with the All Blacks being denied a try on full-time by a linesman's call.

Test one

The first test, Australia's inaugural rugby league international, was shaping up to be an even encounter, with the tourists having regained their match fitness and most of the newly formed Australian side having been involved in the preceding series with New South Wales. The Australian selectors were determined to include some Queenslanders in the side and three were selected, despite no games of rugby league having yet been played in Queensland. Sydney again produced a nice day and 20,000 spectators turned up to see the first ever test match between the ANZAC nations.

AUSTRALIA:

Johnny Rosewell. Bench: Lou Jones
.

NEW ZEALAND:

Charles Pearce, Dan Gilchrist
.

9 May 1908
Australia  10–11  New Zealand
Tries:
Lutge, Rosenfeld
Goals: Messenger
(2) 		[20]
 Tries:
Baskiville
Goals: Turtill
Royal Agricultural Society Showground, Sydney
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Tom Costello

New Zealand took control from the start, despite having

Centenary rugby league test at the Sydney Cricket Ground
.

The tourists then headed north to

Brisbane Metropolitan side and the tourists ran out winners 43–10. After the match the players rushed to the Victoria Private Hospital to check on Baskiville. They found him unconscious and his condition quickly deteriorated. Albert Baskiville died late in the afternoon and of 20 May 1908.[7]
Harry Palmer headed home with his casket accompanied by a group of players representing each province. Baskiville was buried at Karori Cemetery in Wellington. In the meantime the remaining players had to prepare for the further two test matches. In the build-up they drew 12-all with the same Queensland side that they had earlier beaten 34–12.

Test two

After the Queensland rugby league team played its first two matches ever against the touring New Zealanders, who also played a match against Brisbane, the Second Test match against Australia was played in Brisbane and 6,000 spectators turned up to watch the first test match to be held in the state. The All Blacks, still grieving over the loss of Baskiville, could only field a skeleton team and did not perform a pre-match haka.[3]

AUSTRALIA:

Ash Hennessy (c), Sandy Pearce, Robert Graves
.

NEW ZEALAND:

William Trevarthan, Angry Cross, Massa Johnston, Adam Lile. Bench: Dan Gilchrist
.

30 May 1908
Australia  12–24  New Zealand
Tries:
Lutge
Goals: Messenger
(3) 		[22]
 Tries: Rowe (2), Cross, R.Wynyard
Goals: Wrigley (6)

As they did in the first test New Zealand dominated early in the match, with Harold Rowe scoring early, and by half time the New Zealanders led 15–2. The Second half was no easier for the Australians, and the All Blacks ran out winners 24–12 in one of the most decisive test match displays ever put on by a New Zealand side.

The tourists then headed back to Sydney to prepare for their final match. While they had been in Brisbane the first New Zealand Māori rugby league team had arrived in Sydney on 29 May for their own tour of Australia. The side was led by "Opai" Asher and was to prove another boost to the finances of the New South Wales Rugby Football League.

Test three

The touring New Zealand Māori rugby league team were at the Showgrounds supporting New Zealand side for the final test, which drew a crowd of 14,000.

AUSTRALIA:

Dinny Lutge
(c).

NEW ZEALAND:

Charles Pearce (c), Massa Johnston, Adam Lile
.

6 June 1908
Australia  14–9  New Zealand
Tries: Anderson, Graves, Jones, Messenger
Goals: Messenger (1) 		[23]
 Tries: R.Wynyard
Goals: Wrigley (3)
Royal Agricultural Society Showground, Sydney
Attendance: 14,000
Referee: Tom Costello

The game developed into a tight, low-scoring affair, and the visitors were ahead 6–0 at halftime. They then extended their lead to 9–3 before Australia came back and then ran out winners 14–9, claiming the country's first test match victory in the final match of the New Zealand tour.

The second visit to Australia by the tourists had done much to boost the game in the country. They had played the first ever rugby league matches in Newcastle and Brisbane and had boosted the coffers of the fledgling New South Wales Rugby League and Queensland Rugby League organisations.[7] The New Zealanders then headed home to very little fanfare, and certainly nothing to match the lavish official welcome that had been granted The Original All Blacks in 1905.

Aftermath

See also: 1908 New Zealand rugby league season

On their return home the tourists an exhibition game at

Athletic Park, the first game of rugby league in New Zealand. This match was played on 13 June 1908 and 8,000 people attended to see "Wright's Blacks" defeat "Turtill's Reds" 55–20.[24] The match allowed the team to raise £300 for Mrs Baskiville, Albert's mother.[2]

The tour itself had been a great success both financially -the tour made a £5,641 profit and each player received almost £300- and on the field, where the New Zealanders had defeated both Great Britain and Australia 2–1. These feats were not to be replicated for many years with the New Zealand national team failing to win another series in Australia until 1952 and in Great Britain until 1971.[1]

Other members of the touring party soon returned to join

Arthur Kelly
joined Turtill at St Helens.

For the Northern Union the tour had given the game credibility and its first international test opponents since the breakaway code had been established.

In Australia the tour had helped spark the establishment of the game and helped offset the costs of the

first season. Australia was soon to send its own touring party
to Great Britain, although the side did not make as much of a profit as Baskerville's All Blacks had.

The third Test of the 2007 All Golds Tour, v Great Britain, on 10 November

In New Zealand the "Northern Union code" did not manage to successfully establish itself as quickly as it did in Australia.

New Zealand Rugby Football League was formally established on 25 April 1910 in preparation for a Great Britain tour later that same year.[1] The Wellington and Canterbury Rugby League competitions were not to start until 1913.[1]

In 2002 a

Steve Price played the role of Dally Messenger, playing in the All Golds match.[25][26] The "All Golds", as they had also come to be known in the media due to their professionalism,[27] then played their first ever match in New Zealand in 2008 when they took on the New Zealand Māori in a match that served as a warm up to the 2008 World Cup for the New Zealand national rugby league team
.

Professional status

The players on the tour did not consider themselves to be professionals. The members of the tour had all invested £50 and received back an equal share of the tours profits.

New Zealand Rugby Union considered the players to be professionals and all members of the tour subsequently received a life ban from rugby union.[3]

Name

Kit worn in the tour

The team's registered title was "The New Zealand All Black Rugby Football Team" and it was most often referred to as the All Blacks on the tour,

Sydney Morning Herald in 1907 as a headline. However colloquially the players would have probably referred to themselves as the All Blacks or the New Zealand rugby team.[2][29]

Later on, the

Australian Rugby League during the Super League war. In 2007
and 2008 an All Golds team took the field to celebrate the centenary of international rugby league.

Squad

1907 All Golds team photo

The side selected was regarded as surprisingly strong, given the secretive circumstances that it was selected, and included a good mix of experience (nine internationals and fourteen provincial players) and youth.[3]

Backs

Overall the backs possessed experience and pace. They were a strong attacking unit at the time when New Zealand rugby was well known for its attacking prowess. If the backs had a weakness it was in their defence, as the Northern Union game required stronger defensive skills and more one on one tackling than they were used to.

  • Canterbury
    side and was regarded as well versed in wet weather football.
  • Harold Rowe – Fullback: An Auckland provincial player who had utility value.
  • Wellington
    . When in England with the 1905 Originals the press had dubbed him "The Flying Scotsman".
  • George William Smith (vice-captain) – Three quarters: At 35 he was still one of the fastest players in rugby. An Auckland representative and a famous New Zealand rugby union international, Smith had toured with the Originals and was also a champion jockey and world class athlete. Smith had been involved in the tour preparations and was keen to earn a professional contract in England.
  • Dally Messenger – Three quarters: The Australian joined the tour in New South Wales after he had starred for the New South Wales side that played against the touring team. Messenger had been a former Australian representative and had recently signed with the New South Wales Rugby League as their star attraction.
  • Albert Baskiville – Wing: A speedy winger, Baskiville played in few matches as he concentrated on managing the tour. However he starred in the Australian tests before his tragic death.
  • Wairarapa
    representative from the Red Star Club in Masterton, Wrigley was best suited to the centre or second five eighth positions.
  • Joseph Lavery – Centre: A Canterbury representative Lavery had also played for South Island in 1903.
  • Richard Wynyard – Inside back: From a strong rugby family, that included his brother William on the tour, Dick had won Auckland selection when he was only 20 and played in the side that won the Ranfurly Shield.
  • William Wynyard
    – Inside back: Billy had won provincial honours later than his younger brother but by 1907 was well established in the Auckland team.
  • Lance Todd – Inside back: The regular five eighth for the Auckland team, Todd had not yet achieved All Black or inter-island selection due to the abundance of talent in his position.
  • Edward Tyne – Half back: A 1906 Canterbury and South Island representative, Tyne had since moved to Wellington and was selected due to his utility value.
  • William Tyler
    – Half back: Another from the Ranfurly Shield winning Auckland Side, Tyler was large for a Half back and also played Wing-Forward, a position that would quickly be abandoned in the touring team due to the rule changes.
  • Arthur Kelly
    – Half back: One of the Wellington sides most promising young stars, Kelly was currently suspended by the Rugby Union after playing in Nelson under an assumed name and for expenses. The professional charge was never proven but Kelly was suspended for three years for playing under another name.
  • Jim Gleeson
    – Half back: From the Hawkes Bay, Gleeson was selected more for his administration skills than his playing skills and was to become the tour's treasurer.

Forwards

  • Otago
    , Canterbury and Wellington and was regarded as exceptionally quick for his size. His nickname "Angry" was originally a play on his last name, but he was also regarded as one of the "hard men" of New Zealand rugby.
  • William Massa Johnston – Forward: Another Otago representative and a New Zealand rugby union international, Johnston had been playing senior football since he was 15. An original tourist, Johnston had become sick on that tour and had been restricted to only 13 matches.
  • Wanganui
    representative, Watkins had also represented the North Island and the Originals in 1905.
  • Boer War, Wright had played for the New Zealand Army
    Corps team.
  • Conrad Byrne – Forward: A farmer and Wellington representative, Byrne was considered a rising star at only 23.
  • Adam Lile – Forward: A teammate of Baskivilles, Lile had won North Island selection in 1907.
  • Daniel Gilchrist – Forward: Despite being only 23 Gilchrist had represented Wellington consistently since 1904.
  • Arthur Callum – Forward: An insurance agent and club mate of Gilchrist, Callum had played for Wellington in 1905 and 1907.
  • Charles Pearce
    – Forward: From Canterbury, Pearce was selected both for his experience and his size. Pearce was a teammate of Lavery and had been a regular member of Canterbury. He had played for the South Island in 1906.
  • William Trevarthen – Forward: An Auckland representative, Trevarthen had played for Ohinemuri in 1900 and since 1904 had represented Auckland.
  • Charles Dunning
    – Forward: Dunning was a builder by trade and had represented both Gisbourne and Auckland, where he had become a key member of the Ranfurly Shield team and represented the North Island.
  • William Mackrell – Forward: A New Zealand international and Auckland forward, Mackrell had toured with the Originals but played only a few games due to injuries.

Administrators

  • Daniel Fraser
    – Fraser was from the Petone club in Wellington and had also played for the New Zealand Army Corps in South Africa. He joined the tour in New South Wales and acted as the tour's assistant manager.
  • Henry J. Palmer – Financial manager: A leading restaurateur in Wellington with many other business interests, Palmer was involved in organising the tour.

Organisation

As the

Jim Gleeson
(treasurer).

Disputes while on tour were heard by a Management Committee. This consisted of Jim Gleeson, Harry Palmer, Duncan McGregory, Massa Johnston, Lance Todd, Bumper Wright and Bert Baskiville. This committee had the power to impose fines for indiscretions and even expel someone from the tour party if it was deemed to be necessary.[3]

Hercules Richard Wright was elected the tours captain while George William Smith was elected vice-captain, a sign of the democratic nature of the tours organisation. These two formed the selection committee alongside Massa Johnston
.

Match results

Summary
Country Matches Won Drawn Lost
Total 46 26 3 17
Great Britain 35 19 2 14
Australia 10 6 1 3
Ceylon 1 1 0 0
Tests 8 4 0 4
Date Opponent Venue Result Score Rules Attendance Report
17 August 1907
New South Wales
Royal Agricultural Society Ground, Sydney
 Won 12–8 Rugby Football Union 20,000 [30]
21 August 1907
New South Wales
Royal Agricultural Society Ground, Sydney
 Won 19–5 Rugby Football Union 3,000 [31]
24 August 1907
New South Wales
Royal Agricultural Society Ground, Sydney
 Won 5–3 Rugby Football Union 8,000 [32]
12 September 1907 British Ceylon All Ceylon Colombo Racecourse, Colombo Won 33–6 Rugby Football Union 3,000 [33]
9 October 1907
Bramley
 McLaren Field, Bramley Won 25–6 Northern Rugby Football Union 6,000 [34]
12 October 1907 Huddersfield
Fartown Ground, Huddersfield
 Won 19–8 Northern Rugby Football Union 10,000 [35]
17 October 1907 Widnes
Lowerhouse Lane, Widnes
 Won 26–11 Northern Rugby Football Union 8,000 [36]
19 October 1907 Broughton Rangers Wheater's Field, Broughton Won 20–14 Northern Rugby Football Union 24,000
23 October 1907 Wakefield Trinity Belle Vue, Wakefield Drew 5–5 Northern Rugby Football Union 5,000 [37]
26 October 1907 Leeds Elland Road, Leeds Won 8–2 Northern Rugby Football Union 12,000 [38]
30 October 1907 St. Helens Knowsley Road, St. Helens Won 24–5 Northern Rugby Football Union [39]
2 November 1907 Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil Won 27–9 Northern Rugby Football Union [40]
5 November 1907 Keighley Lawkholme Lane, Keighley Won 9–7 Northern Rugby Football Union 8,000 [41]
9 November 1907 Wigan Central Park, Wigan Lost 8–12 Northern Rugby Football Union 30,000 [42]
13 November 1907 Barrow Cavendish Park, Barrow-in-Furness Lost 3–6 Northern Rugby Football Union 7,000 [43]
16 November 1907 Hull F.C. The Boulevard, Hull Won 18–13 Northern Rugby Football Union [44]
20 November 1907
Leigh
 Mather Lane, Leigh Lost 9–15 Northern Rugby Football Union [45]
23 November 1907 Oldham Watersheddings, Oldham Lost 7–8 Northern Rugby Football Union 15,000 [46]
27 November 1907 Runcorn Canal Street, Runcorn Lost 0–9 Northern Rugby Football Union 5,000 [47]
30 November 1907 Dewsbury / Batley XIII West Yorkshire Won 18–8 Northern Rugby Football Union [48]
4 December 1907 Swinton Chorley Road, Swinton Won 11–2 Northern Rugby Football Union [49]
7 December 1907 Rochdale Hornets
Athletic Grounds, Rochdale
 Won 19–0 Northern Rugby Football Union [50]
10 December 1907
Bradford F.C.
 Greenfield, Bradford Lost 2–7 Northern Rugby Football Union 4,000
14 December 1907
Halifax
 Thrum Hall, Halifax Lost 4–9 Northern Rugby Football Union 11,000 [51]
18 December 1907 Yorkshire Yorkshire Belle Vue, Wakefield Won 23–4 Northern Rugby Football Union [52]
21 December 1907 Warrington Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington Lost 7–8 Northern Rugby Football Union 10,000 [53]
26 December 1907 Hunslet Parkview Ground, Hunslet Drew 11–11 Northern Rugby Football Union [54]
28 December 1907 Salford
Salford
 Won 9–2 Northern Rugby Football Union 12,000 [55]
1 January 1908 Wales
Aberdare Athletic Ground, Aberdare
 Lost 8–9 Northern Rugby Football Union 20,000 [15]
4 January 1908 Hull Kingston Rovers Craven Street, Hull Won 6–3 Northern Rugby Football Union 10,000 [56]
8 January 1908
Cumberland
 Lonsdale Park, Workington Lost 9–21 Northern Rugby Football Union [57]
11 January 1908 England England XIII Central Park, Wigan Lost 16–18 Northern Rugby Football Union 12,000 [58]
18 January 1908 Lancashire Lancashire Watersheddings, Oldham Lost 4–20 Northern Rugby Football Union [59]
25 January 1908 United Kingdom Northern Union Headingley, Leeds Lost 6–14 Northern Rugby Football Union 8,182 [16]
29 January 1908
York
 Clarence Street, York Lost 3–5 Northern Rugby Football Union [60]
1 February 1908 Ebbw Vale Bridge End Field, Ebbw Vale Won 3–2 Northern Rugby Football Union 10,000 [61]
8 February 1908 United Kingdom Northern Union Stamford Bridge, London Won 18–6 Northern Rugby Football Union 14,000 [17]
15 February 1908 United Kingdom Northern Union Whaddon Road, Cheltenham Won 8–5 Northern Rugby Football Union 4,000 [18]
22 February 1908 St Helens Knowsley Road, St. Helens Won 21–10 Northern Rugby Football Union [62]
22 April 1908 Newcastle Newcastle Showgrounds, Newcastle Won 53–6 Northern Rugby Football Union [63]
25 April 1908 Northern Districts Newcastle Showgrounds, Newcastle Won 37–8 Northern Rugby Football Union 700 [64]
2 May 1908
New South Wales
Royal Agricultural Society Ground, Sydney
 Lost 10–18 Northern Rugby Football Union 18,000 [65]
6 May 1908
New South Wales
Royal Agricultural Society Ground, Sydney
 Lost 10–13 Northern Rugby Football Union 8,000 [66]
9 May 1908
Australia
Royal Agricultural Society Ground, Sydney
 Won 11–10 Northern Rugby Football Union 20,000 [20]
16 May 1908
Queensland
Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
 Won 34–12 Northern Rugby Football Union [67]
20 May 1908 Brisbane
Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
 Won 43–10 Northern Rugby Football Union [68]
23 May 1908
Queensland
Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
 Drew 12–12 Northern Rugby Football Union [69]
30 May 1908
Australia
Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
 Won 24–12 Northern Rugby Football Union 6,000 [22]
6 June 1908
Australia
Royal Agricultural Society Ground, Sydney
 Lost 9–14 Northern Rugby Football Union 14,000 [23]

External links

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-1-86971-090-3
    .
  2. ^ a b c d e f NZRL (Press Release) (2007-10-03). "Wiki to captain All Golds – Prince, Jones and Vagana to play". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  3. ^
    ISBN 0-473-03864-1
    .
  4. ^ "the Professional All-Blacks". NZ Truth. 1 June 1907. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  5. ^ "PROFESSIONAL ALL BLACKS". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 August 1907. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
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    ISBN 978-0-9757563-0-0
  7. ^ a b c d e f Kiwis Were Out For Keeps RL1908.com, Accessed 8 August 2009. Archived 2009-08-11.
  8. ISBN 1-86395-266-7
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  9. ^ "Outside Chat". NZ Truth, Issue 170. New Zealand. 1908-09-19. p. 3. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  10. ^ a b c All Golds Rugby League Team New Zealand A to Z, Accessed 9 August 2009. Archived 2009-08-11.
  11. ^ Baskerville, A. H. (10 October 1907). "WITH THE PROFESSIONAL "ALL BLACKS"". Press. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  12. ^ Baskerville, A. H. (29 November 1907). "THE PROFESSIONAL "ALL BLACKS"". Press. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  13. ^ Rugby League – 100 years since it kicked off in Aberdare BBC Radio Wales
  14. ^ R League: The day Wales made history Wales on Sunday, 23 December 2007
  15. ^ a b Shawn Dollin. "Wales vs New Zealand 1908". Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  16. ^ a b Shawn Dollin. "England vs New Zealand 1908 Series – Game 1". Archived from the original on 2010-08-18. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  17. ^ a b Shawn Dollin. "England vs New Zealand 1908 Series – Game 2". Archived from the original on 2009-11-03. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
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  19. ^ a b c Newcastle's First Rugby League Match RL1908.com, Accessed 8 August 2009. Archived 2009-08-11.
  20. ^ a b Shawn Dollin. "Australia vs New Zealand 1908 Series – Game 1". Archived from the original on 2012-10-07. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  21. ^ a b c Black & Blue – The First Test of 1908 Archived 2008-05-17 at the Wayback Machine RL1908.com, Accessed 8 August 2009
  22. ^ a b Shawn Dollin. "Australia vs New Zealand 1908 Series – Game 2". Archived from the original on 2012-10-07. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
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  29. ^ "All Golds" – Just A Name? RL1908.com, Accessed 8 August 2009. Archived 2009-08-11.
  30. ^ Shawn Dollin. "New South Wales Firsts vs. New Zealand". Archived from the original on 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
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