Charles Fitzgerald (rugby)

For other people named Charles Fitzgerald, see Charles Fitzgerald (disambiguation).

Charles Fitzgerald

Personal information
Full name	Charles James Fitzgerald
Born	6 June 1899(1899-06-06) Fairhall, New Zealand
Died	8 May 1961(1961-05-08) (aged 61) Awatere Valley, New Zealand
Playing information
Weight	72 kg (11 st 5 lb)
Rugby union
Position	Centre three-quarter and second five-eighth
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
19??–1922	Awatere
1923–1924	Marist Old Boys
	Total	0	0	0	0	0
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1917–1921	Marlborough
1922	South Island	1	1	0	0	5
1922	New Zealand	0	0	0	0	0
Rugby league
Position	Wing, Centre
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1924–19??	Marist Old Boys
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
19??	Canterbury
1924	New Zealand	2	0	0	0	0
1925	South Island
Source: rugbyleagueproject.org

Charles James Fitzgerald (born 6 June 1899 in Fairhall – died 8 May 1961 in Awatere Valley) was a New Zealand dual-code international rugby footballer who represented New Zealand in rugby union and rugby league. Fitzgerald was a utility back in both codes.

Rugby union career

Fitzgerald represented Marlborough between 1917 and 1921, appearing for the union in every backline position except fullback. He played for a combined Nelson-Marlborough-Golden Bay-Motueka side against the 1921 Springboks kicking a penalty goal in the side's 26–3 defeat.^[1] In that game he lined up alongside fellow future dual-international Jim O'Brien.

Fitzgerald played for the South Island in 1922, scoring a try in the inter-island match. Following this he was selected for New Zealand, playing in five matches on a tour of New Zealand and Australia. Fitzgerald represented New Zealand (RU) in the 12–11 victory over Wairarapa at Carterton on 19 July 1922, the 26–19 victory over New South Wales at Sydney on 29 July 1922, the 24–6 victory over Metropolitan Union at Sydney on 2 August 1922, the 6–8 defeat to New South Wales at Sydney on 7 August 1922, and scored a penalty in the 45–11 victory over Manawatu-Wellington XV at Palmerston North on 16 August 1922 but never played a Test match for his country.^[1][2]

In 1923 Fitzgerald moved to Christchurch, joining the Marist Old Boys club. However the club was expelled from the Canterbury Rugby Union in April 1924 and Fitzgerald followed to club to rugby league.

Rugby league career

Fitzgerald excelled in rugby league and in his debut year he made the national side, playing in two Test matches against Great Britain.^[3] He played for the South Island in 1925.^[1][4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Charles Fitzgerald stats.allblacks.com
2. ^ "Statistics at espnscrum.com". espnscrum.com. 31 December 2010. http://www.espnscrum.com/newzealand/rugby/player/2932.html. Retrieved 1 January 2011. 
3. ^ "Statistics at nzleague.co.nz". 31 December 2010. http://nzleague.co.nz/kiwis/player_profile.php?letter=E&id=154. Retrieved 1 January 2011. 
4. ^ Coffey, John. Canterbury XIII, Christchurch, 1987. p.193.

Persondata
Name	Fitzgerald, Charles
Alternative names
Short description	New Zealand rugby union and rugby league footballer
Date of birth	6 June 1899
Place of birth	Fairhall
Date of death	8 May 1961
Place of death	Awatere Valley