Story: Rugby union

New Zealand Native Football team, 1888–89 (1st of 2)

New Zealand Native Football team, 1888–89

Over 14 months from June 1888 until August 1889 the Native team played 107 rugby matches in England, Ireland, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. Organised by Thomas Eyton and Joe Warbrick, the team was predominantly Māori and included four of Warbrick’s brothers. It was the first team to wear the black jersey with the silver fern. The team members are: (back row) Arthur Warbrick, Alexander Webster, James Scott (manager), George Williams, William Warbrick, Alfred Warbrick; (middle row) ‘Smiler’ Ihimaira, William Wynyard, David Gage, Joe Warbrick, Fred Warbrick, Henry Wynyard; (front row) Richard Taiaroa, Thomas Ellison, Richard Maynard, Wi Karauria and Charles Goldsmith. There were also 10 other team members, not pictured here.

Using this item

Auckland City Libraries - Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero, Sir George Grey Special Collections
Reference: 4-919
Photograph by James D. Richardson

Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Ron Palenski, 'Rugby union - The game spreads, 1870–1892', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/40004/new-zealand-native-football-team-1888-89 (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Ron Palenski, published 5 Sep 2013, updated 1 Sep 2016