The Game's Origin - Part 2

In part one (read by clicking here), rugby league had commenced in the north of England in 1895 but gone no further. A rugby union player in Wellington, NZ was a postal clerk by the name of Albert Baskerville. He read how the successful All Blacks tour in 1905 had benefited from the best rugby players in England playing another code. He decided to organise a tour of New Zealand players to the UK to compete against these players.

Albert Baskerville

He left his job to do this and was given a life ban from the NZ Rugby Union for his decision to tour. They left in 1907 and returned in 1908. On the way over, they played three matches in Australia and took along a local named Herbert 'Dally' Messenger with their party. The tour was a success on the field as well as off, with a profit of about £300 for each player. That was quite a sum back then, although the tough opponents and weather ensured they earned every penny.

The tour was tough for Mr Baskerville as not only did he play but he was also responsible for the tour manager as well. Clearly it would have been a challenging responsibility that he had willingly undertaken.

Unfortunately Albert Baskerville contracted pneumonia on the way home during the final leg of the tour in Australia and died in Brisbane at just 25 years of age. While the team finished their tour, some returned his body home to Wellington where he was laid to rest at Karori Cemetery.

His legacy was starting rugby league's international connection. The tour brought about the formation of the game in both New Zealand and Australia. Without the efforts of a postal clerk in New Zealand, it's doubtful that the game would would have come down under.

How did the code grow from these small beginnings? Part 3 will follow with that theme....

Part 3 can be read by clicking here.
For Part 1: Click here.