Rugby History | ClubRugby.nz

Pioneers of rugby in Wellington 031: Ned Hughes

by clubrugby - September 27, 2022

E.E. (Ned Hughes) is somewhat a player of mystery. He has the distinction of being the ‘oldest All Black’ when he played the first two tests against the Springboks on 13 and 27 August 1921. His birthdate is listed as 26 April 1881, so in round terms he was 40 years

Pioneers of rugby in Wellington: 030 George Aitken

by clubrugby - September 21, 2022

One of Buller High School’s favourite sons, the multi-talented George Aitken captained his then Westport District High School’s First XV aged 14 and first represented Buller as a 16-year-old in 1914. He played for his home province for two seasons, before moving to Wellington and bursting on to the Wellington

Pioneers of rugby in Wellington: 028 Frank Mitchinson

by clubrugby - September 7, 2022

All sources tell us that Frank Mitchinson was all class. He had speed, footwork and vision, and all those who played with – including his great Poneke, Wellington and All Blacks mate Billy Wallace – rated him up there with the best. Mitchinson was the sort of player who could slot

The day Wellington teams re-took the Ranfurly Shield off Southland and beat the All Blacks

by clubrugby - September 1, 2022

This is a previous article on this website from 2016. Re-publishing it here ahead of the Wellington Lions versus Southland match and the second All Blacks versus Argentina fixture this coming weekend. World War One disrupted a great era for Wellington rugby teams. Wellington had captured the Ranfurly Shield in 1914 off

Pioneers of rugby in Wellington 026: Arthur Kelly and the Pro Blacks

by clubrugby - August 31, 2022

Arthur Kelly staked his reputation on his fearless tacking ability – which seemingly led to the set of events that saw him join the ‘Pro Blacks’ team on their momentous overseas tour of 1907/08 and subsequently play several seasons for the St Helen’s club in England. Born in Petone on Christmas