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

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 Chareure 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.
Mākereti and Murai Papakura and two Māori chiefs travelled with the side. NSW selector Denis Lutge was assigned to the team as an advisor.
Maori nameEnglish namePositionBio
Nirai ChareureNed McRaeCaptain, broke his collarbone in the first match
Ariki HairaAlex StanawayforwardFrom Auckland and originally from Northern Wairoa, later represented New Zealand, toured in 1908
Tohe HerangiT Searanche
Pou KopanaPaul Coban
Rewi ManiapotoSid Ellis
Witana MareMurray
Hauauru PakereFrank Barclayutility backFrom Tauranga, later represented New Zealand, toured in 1908
Punga PakereGlen BarclayforwardFrom Tauranga, brother of Frank, later played for the North Sydney Bears, toured in 1908
Te Keepa PouwiuwhiuErnie Asherthree-quartersFrom Tauranga, brother of Albert, later represented New Zealand, toured in 1908
Te Rira Pukere
Riki Papakurautility backFrom Manonui, later played for Australasia and Warrington, toured in 1908
Nikorima RateteNikki Rogersinside backFrom Rotorua, also toured in 1908
Tutu RoeraTutu Royal
Puhipi RukutaiJim RukutaiforwardLater represented and coached New Zealand
Hone TaonuiJohn Hetet
Hone Tukithree-quartersfrom Northland, toured in 1908
Arapeta Paurini WharepapaAlbert Asherthree-quartersFormer All Black who would later represent New Zealand and Australasia, toured in 1908
Tāmati 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.
DateOpponentVenueResultScoreAttendanceReport
24 JulyNew South WalesRoyal Agricultural Society Showground, SydneyWin24-2128,000
28 JulyNew South WalesRoyal Agricultural Society Showground, SydneyWin14-116,000
31 JulyAustraliaRoyal Agricultural Society Showground, SydneyWin16-1430,000
4 AugustNewcastleNewcastle Showgrounds, NewcastleLoss6-72,000
7 AugustQueenslandBrisbane Cricket Ground, BrisbaneLoss11-217,000
11 AugustQueenslandBrisbane Cricket Ground, BrisbaneWin36-256,000
14 AugustAustraliaBrisbane Cricket Ground, BrisbaneLoss13-168,000
21 AugustAustraliaRoyal Agricultural Society Showground, SydneyLoss16-2311,000
25 AugustNew South WalesWentworth Park, SydneyWin12-83,000
28 AugustAustraliaRoyal Agricultural Society Showground, SydneyLoss13-207,500