1909 New Zealand Māori rugby league tour of Australia

The 1909 New Zealand Māori rugby league tour of Australia was a tour made by a group of New Zealand Māori rugby footballers who played rugby league matches in Queensland and New South Wales. The tour followed on from another Māori tour of Australia the previous year and a tour by the New Zealand national side a month earlier. The Māori side played the Australian national side four times, winning one of the "test" matches. The tour 1909 NSWRFL season 1909 New Zealand rugby league season Following the first "test", won by the Māori 16–14, about 5,000 of the 30,000 crowd invaded the pitch, upset with the standard of refereeing. Only about a dozen police were present and it took them almost an hour to assist the referee from the ground. Before the fourth "test" nine players from the tour were detained, after Robert Jack claimed he was owed money relating to the 1908 tour. The NSWRL paid Jack his claimed debt, rather than risk the match being called off. The team were awarded the O T Punch Cup for their victories over Sydney teams. The cup had been damaged when the crowd invaded the pitch in the first "test". Aftermath The 1909 side was the first to wear a kiwi emblem on their uniforms. The New Zealand national side is now called the Kiwis. Squad Only 19 players were involved in the squad, with a maximum of 18 available for selection at any one time. Seventeen travelled with the main party, however Nirai Whareure broke his collarbone after the first match. Tohe Herangi joined the touring party after the first match and Hone Tuki arrived in time for the first 'test' match. Coffey John Bernie Wood 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008 https://books.google.com/books?id=nklWo8vw-iIC 2008 Huia Publishers 978-1-86969-331-2 64 Mākereti (Maggie) and Murai (Bella) Papakura and two Māori chiefs travelled with the side. NSW selector Denis Lutge was assigned to the team as an advisor. Maori name English name Position BioNirai WhareureNed McRaeCaptain, broke his collarbone in the first matchAriki HairaAlex StanawayforwardFrom Auckland and originally from Northern Wairoa, later represented New Zealand, toured in 1908Tohe HerangiT Searanche Pou KopanaPaul Coban Rewi ManiapotoSid Ellis Witana MareMurray Hauauru PakereFrank Barclayutility backFrom Tauranga, later represented New Zealand, toured in 1908Punga PakereGlen BarclayforwardFrom Tauranga, brother of Frank, later played for the North Sydney Bears, toured in 1908Te Keepa PouwiuwhiuErnie Asherthree-quartersFrom Tauranga, brother of Albert, later represented New Zealand, toured in 1908Te Rira Pukere Riki Papakurautility backFrom Manonui, later played for Australasia and Warrington, toured in 1908Nikorima RateteNikki Rogersinside backFrom Rotorua, also toured in 1908Tutu RoeraTutu Royal Puhipi RukutaiJim RukutaiforwardLater represented and coached New ZealandHone TaonuiJohn Hetet Hone Tukithree-quartersfrom Northland, toured in 1908Arapeta Paurini WharepapaAlbert Asherthree-quartersFormer All Black who would later represent New Zealand and Australasia, toured in 1908Tāmati WikiriwhiTāmati Wilkinson Te Kanawa Wi Neera Match results Before the side left New Zealand they lost 14–21 to Auckland on 10 July 1909 at Victoria Park in front of 2–3,000 spectators. John Coffey Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 Years of Rugby League, 1909-2009 18 September 2009 978-1-86969-366-4 Date Opponent Venue Result Score Attendance Report24 JulyNew South WalesRoyal Agricultural Society Showground, SydneyWin24-2128,000Maori tour 1909 rugbyleagueproject.org28 JulyNew South WalesRoyal Agricultural Society Showground, SydneyWin14-116,00031 JulyAustraliaRoyal Agricultural Society Showground, SydneyWin16-1430,0004 AugustNewcastleNewcastle Showgrounds, NewcastleLoss6-72,0007 AugustQueenslandBrisbane Cricket Ground, BrisbaneLoss11-217,00011 AugustQueenslandBrisbane Cricket Ground, BrisbaneWin36-256,00014 AugustAustraliaBrisbane Cricket Ground, BrisbaneLoss13-168,00021 AugustAustraliaRoyal Agricultural Society Showground, SydneyLoss16-2311,00025 AugustNew South WalesWentworth Park, SydneyWin12-83,00028 AugustAustraliaRoyal Agricultural Society Showground, SydneyLoss13-207,500 References 2 Category:New Zealand Māori rugby league team Category:Rugby league tours of Australia Maori rugby league tour of Australia Maori rugby league tour of Australia