- 1888-1889 New Zealand Native football team
, and 23 losses.
Background
side in 1888.Ryan (1993), pg 14.] This developed into a venture to have a Maori team Britain if a preliminary tour of New Zealand was successful. After learning of Warbrick's plans, Thomas Eyton contacted him to help manage the tour.Ryan (1993), pg 15.] Eventually James Scott joined the partnership, and the roles of the three were decided; Warbrick as captain, Scott as manager, and Eyton as promoter.
Warbrick started assembling a team for the tour in early 1888.Ryan (1993), pg 22.] He did have difficulties assembling a team due to player availability, and failed to secure
Jack Taiaroa due to his university commitments.Ryan (1993), pg 23.] [Jack Taiaroa was a talented athlete; he played for New Zealand in rugby, set a New Zealand long-jump record, and representedHawkes Bay incricket .] Some players who were available for the tour withdrew due to the inclusion of part-Maori in the team. There were twenty Maori players selected for the team.Ryan (1993), pg 27.] However after the defeat to Auckland five Pakeha players were added to the team. Due to the inclusion of Pakeha players the team was renamed from the "New Zealand Maori" to the "New Zealand Native Football Representatives".Ryan (1993), pg 29.] The final team consisted of 26 players (including Warbrick).The team toured New Zealand before departing overseas.Ryan (1993), pg 31.] The team played against Hawke's Bay, Auckland, Nelson, Wellington, Canterbury, South Canterbury, and Otago.Ryan (1993), pg 143.] The first game was held against Hawke's Bay in Napier on
23 June 1888 .Ryan (1993), pg 32.] They played nine games in their preliminary tour of New Zealand of which seven were won.Ryan (1993), pg 43.] Their last match was against Otago was won one try to nil was plyed inDunedin on31 July 1888 .Ryan (1993), pg 41.]The team departed for Australia from Dunedin on
1 August 1888 .Ryan (1993), pg 43.] The team arrived inMelbourne where Scott recruited a Victorian Rules coachJack Lawlor to coach the team while they were in Britain for possible Victorian Rules matches on their return to Australia. The team did play two matches while in Melbourne; both were rugby matches against the Melbourne Rugby Union team with the first won, and the second a draw. They departed from Melbourne to Britain via Suez.Ryan (1993), pg 44.] The team arrived in London on27 September 1888 .Matches played
References and notes
Bibliography
*cite book |title=Forerunners of the All Blacks |last=Ryan |first=Greg |publisher=Canterbury University Press |year=1993 |location=Christchurch, New Zealand|id=ISBN 0-908812-30-2
External links
*
ee also
*
New Zealand Māori rugby union team
*Rugby union in New Zealand
*All Blacks
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