The First Wallabies

A history of the Australian Rugby Union pioneers.

RMS Omrah with team autographs (1908) by J. RobertsRugby Australia

In 1908, an excited crowd gathered on the wharf at Sydney’s Circular Quay.

They were there to farewell members of the first Australian Rugby Union team to embark on a tour of Britain, France and America. After a formal farewell at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the players boarded the R.M.S Omrah for the six-week trip, which would take them to England via Ceylon and Naples. 

RMS Omrah Voyage Souvenir - Australia to London RMS Omrah Voyage 30 Souvenir - Australia to London, Fred Lea, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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RMS Omrah Voyage Souvenir - Australia to London RMS Omrah Voyage 30 Souvenir - Australia to London, Fred Lea, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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RMS Omrah Voyage Souvenir - Australia to London RMS Omrah Voyage 30 Souvenir - Australia to London, Fred Lea, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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RMS Omrah Voyage Souvenir - Australia to London RMS Omrah Voyage 30 Souvenir - Australia to London, Fred Lea, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Wallaby Jersey Wallaby Jersey (1908) by J. PearsonRugby Australia

They wore the sky blue jersey of New South Wales

The jerseys were adorned with an embroidered Waratah on the breast and "Australia" underneath, to indicate that this was a national representative side. With no official national colours, this jersey was worn as the tour was organised by the the New South Wales Rugby Union. Players also sported navy blue blazers and boater hats, all with the Waratah emblem.

Boater Hatband (1908)Rugby Australia

Arrival at Plymouth (1908) by C. HammandRugby Australia

Arrival at Plymouth

Greeted by a crowd on arrival, the Australians had a busy start to the tour. Attending a welcome dinner that evening, they departed the next day for Newtown Abbott to prepare for their first match against Devon.

Wallabies on arrival (1908)Rugby Australia

New South Wales Rugby Team 'The Rabbits' (1908) by Rotary PhotosRugby Australia

We are the Wallabies

Captain Herbert Moran, learning that the British press had taken to calling the team the "Rabbits’,’ which he found distasteful, decided to find a more acceptable name. Many suggestions were put forward but after a team vote, the name Wallabies was selected.

The 'Rabbits' arrive (1908)Rugby Australia

Birth of the Wallabies (1908) by Daily Mail and Daily MailRugby Australia

Australian Amateur Rugby Team 'The Wallabies' (1908) by Davidson BrothersRugby Australia

Programme Australian Amateur Rugby Team Touring Great Britain Programme Australian Amateur Rugby Team Touring Great Britain (1908) by S. WottonRugby Australia

A gruelling tour awaited them

Thirty-five tour matches were scheduled with three Tests, one each against Wales, France and England. The French Test, however, would be cancelled due to bad weather.

Programme Australian Amateur Rugby Team Touring Great Britain Programme Australian Amateur Rugby Team Touring Great Britain, S. Wotton, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Devon v Australia Official Programme Devon v Australia, Devon Rugby Football Union, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 24
Devon - 3

Official Programme Devon v Australia Official Programme Devon v Australia, Devon Rugby Football Union, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Opening match - Devon (1908)Rugby Australia

Official Programme Gloucestershire v Australia Official Programme Gloucestershire v Australia, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 16
Gloucestershire - 0

Official Programme Gloucestershire v Australia Official Programme Gloucestershire v Australia, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Cornwall v Australians (1908) by Cornwall Rugby Footbal Union and Cornwall Rugby Football ClubRugby Australia

Australia - 18
Cornwall - 5

Official Programme Australia v Glamorgan Official Programme Australia v Glamorgan, Glamorgan County Football Club, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 16
Glamorgan - 3

Official Programme Australia v Glamorgan Official Programme Australia v Glamorgan, Glamorgan County Football Club, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Australia v Penygraig Official Programme Australia v Penygraig, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 11
Penygraig - 3

Official Programme Australia v Penygraig Official Programme Australia v Penygraig, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Australia v Neath and Aberavon Official Programme Australia v Neath and Aberavon, Neath and Aberavon, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 15
Neath and Aberavon - 0

Official Programme Australia v Neath and Aberavon Official Programme Australia v Neath and Aberavon, Neath and Aberavon, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Australia v Llanelly Official Programme Australia v Llanelly, Llanelly Football Club, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 3
Llanelly - 8

Official Programme Australia v Llanelly Official Programme Australia v Llanelly, Llanelly Football Club, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Australia v Monmouth Official Programme Australia v Monmouth, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Match cancelled due to waterlogged pitch

Official Programme Australia v Monmouth Official Programme Australia v Monmouth, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Wallabies v London (1908)Rugby Australia

Australia - 3
London - 0

London Rugby Football Union Dinner Invitation London Rugby Football Union Dinner Invitation (1908) by London RFURugby Australia

Official Programme Navy & Army v Australians Official Programme Navy & Army v Australians, W.H. Barrell, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 8
Navy & Army - 6

Official Programme Navy & Army v Australians Official Programme Navy & Army v Australians, W.H. Barrell, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Australia v Durham Official Programme Australia v Durham, B.T. Ord, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 29
Durham - 7

Official Programme Australia v Durham Official Programme Australia v Durham, B.T. Ord, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australians and Durham (1908) by Durham RFCRugby Australia

Official Programme Australia v Cumberland & Northumberland Official Programme Australia v Cumberland & Northumberland, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 18
Cumberland & Northumberland - 6

Official Programme Australia v Cumberland & Northumberland Official Programme Australia v Cumberland & Northumberland, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Australia v Cheshire (1908) by P. Branscombe and P. BranscombeRugby Australia

Australia - 37
Cheshire - 3

Official Programme England v Australia, Mr. Fegan's Homes, Mr Fegan's Homes, 1909, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 9
England - 3

Australia defeat England at Blackheath (1909) by Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic newsRugby Australia

Dinner Menu for Cambridge University match Dinner Menu for Cambridge University match, Cambridge University, Cambridge University, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 11
Cambridge University - 9

Official Programme Yorkshire v Australia Official Programme Yorkshire v Australia, C.W. Carr, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 24
Yorkshire - 0

Official Programme Yorkshire v Australia Official Programme Yorkshire v Australia, C.W. Carr, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Lancashire v Australia Official Programme Lancashire v Australia, H.S. Woodyer & Brother, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 12
Lancashire - 6

Official Programme Lancashire v Australia Official Programme Lancashire v Australia, H.S. Woodyer & Brother, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Australia v Somerset Official Programme Australia v Somerset, County Rugby Football, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 12
Somerset - 6

Official Programme Australia v Somerset Official Programme Australia v Somerset, County Rugby Football, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Combined Midlands v Australians Official Programme Combined Midlands v Australians, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 5
Combined Midlands - 16

Official Programme Combined Midlands v Australians Official Programme Combined Midlands v Australians, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Anglo-Welsh v Australians, A. Williams, A. Williams, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 24
Anglo-Welsh - 0

Official Programme Australia v Wales Official Programme Australia v Wales, Welsh Rugby Football Union, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 6
Wales - 9

Official Programme Australia v Wales Official Programme Australia v Wales, Welsh Rugby Football Union, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia v Wales (1908) by Welsh Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Snow on Cardiff Arms Park (1908) by Welsh Rugby Football UnionRugby Australia

Official Programme Australia v Glamorgan League Official Programme Austalia v Glamorgan League, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 9
Glamorgan League - 5

Official Programme Australia v Glamorgan League Official Programme Austalia v Glamorgan League, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Australia v Newport, A.W. Dawson, A.W. Dawson, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 5
Newport - 3

Official Programme Australia v Abertillery Official Programme Australia v Abertillery, Abertillery Rugby Football Club, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 3
Abertillery - 3

Official Programme Australia v Abertillery Official Programme Australia v Abertillery, Abertillery Rugby Football Club, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Australia v Swansea Official Programme Australia v Swansea, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 0
Swansea - 6

Official Programme Australia v Swansea Official Programme Australia v Swansea, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Australia v Cardiff Official Programme Australia v Cardiff, Cardiff Rugby Football Club, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 8
Cardiff - 24

Official Programme Australia v Cardiff Official Programme Australia v Cardiff, Cardiff Rugby Football Club, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Australians v Bristol & Clifton Official Programme Australians v Bristol & Clifton, 1909, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 11
Bristol & Clifton - 3

Official Programme Australians v Bristol & Clifton Official Programme Australians v Bristol & Clifton, 1909, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Plymouth v Australia Official Programme Plymouth v Australia, R.W. Stevens, 1909, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australia - 15
Plymouth - 6

Official Programme Plymouth v Australia Official Programme Plymouth v Australia, R.W. Stevens, 1909, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Australian Rugby Team Ledger Australian Rugby Team Ledger (1908/1909) by New South Wales Rugby UnionRugby Australia

No matches were played in Ireland and Scotland

Due to an ongoing dispute around amateurism, these Unions objected to the three shillings daily allowance given to each player and extended no invitations to the Wallabies.

Australian Rugby Team Ledger Australian Rugby Team Ledge, New South Wales Rugby Union, 1908/1909, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Norman Row Scrapbook Norman Row scrapbook, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Wallaby war-cry (1908)Rugby Australia

Wallaby war-cry

Following the success of the Haka the year before, the Wallabies were also expected to perform a war-cry. Using  'a native greeting to strangers in peace', the Wallabies performed their war-cry before most matches and on many social occasions.

Wallaby war-cry translation (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Wallabies war-cry (1908)Rugby Australia

Wallabies - Olympic champions (1908)Rugby Australia

Olympic champions

Invited to take part in the Olympic Games currently being held in London, the Wallabies went straight into the final. In their most convincing win of the tour they defeated the United Kingdom, represented by Cornwall, to become Olympic gold medalists.

Olympic Games Rugby Match (1908)Rugby Australia

Competitor's or official ticket, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Tom Richards Reminisences, Sydney Mail, 1931, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Olympic Games teams - Australia and Cornwall (1908)Rugby Australia

Olympic competitor's ticket (1908)Rugby Australia

Norman Row Scrapbook Norman Row Scrapbook (1908) by Norman Row and Norman RowRugby Australia

Record crowds

The Wallabies drew record crowds throughout the tour and their progress was followed closely by the Australian press as well as the press in England and Wales.

Norman Row Scrapbook Norman Row scrapbook, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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"Scrap" Newspaper Clippings Newspaper Clippings - "Scraps, Western Evening Herald, 1908, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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World tour of the Wallabies - San Francisco (1909)Rugby Australia

America

Arriving in San Francisco, the Wallabies were scheduled to play three matches before traveling to British Colombia in Canada for their last two matches. Sailing home via Hawaii, the Wallabies arrived home in March after a very long and successful nine-month tour.

Official Programme Wallabies v All-California Official Programme Wallabies v All-California, The Frat.CL-Valentine Co., 1909, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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Official Programme Wallabies v All-California Official Programme Wallabies v All-California, The Frat.CL-Valentine Co., 1909, From the collection of: Rugby Australia
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First Wallabies (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

The first Wallabies

From thirty-five matches played, the Wallabies lost only five and drew in one, scoring a total of 620 points compared to their combined opposition’s 159. The team had established a reputation that saw Australian rugby respected the world over and defined what it meant to be Australian. The name ‘Wallabies’ became synonymous with a brand of open, running rugby, good sportsmanship and the best traditions of the game.

Barnett, John - Cap No.73 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played thirty-four tour matches including the two Tests against Wales and England and Olympic Games final. A prop-forward, his club was Newtown.

Burge Albert - Cap No.92 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in eleven tour matches including one Test against Wales. Sent off in the match against Cardiff, he was not selected again on tour. A flanker, his club was South Sydney.

Burge, Peter - Cap No.74 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Broke his leg in the first match of the tour against Devon. One of the replacements sent over was his brother Albert. A lock and club was South Sydney

Carmichael, Philip - Cap No.52 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in thirty-two tour matches including both Tests and the Olympic Games final. A full-back, his clubs were South Brisbane, Christian Brothers and Valley Football clubs in Queensland.

Craig, Robert - Cap No.94 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in eleven tour matches, including the Test against Wales and the Olympic Games final. The tours chief prankster, he was a flanker from the Balmain club.

Daly, Herbert - Uncapped (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in only four tour matches. A centre, he played for Mudgee-Gulgong Football Club and Combined Country.

Dix, William - Cap No.75 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in nineteen tour matches, including one Test against England. A full-back, he was a from Armidale and his club was Southward.

Flanagan, Peter - Cap No.76 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Volunteering as line-umpire in the third match against Cornwall, he collided with the Australian winger and broke his leg. A flanker, his club was Brothers.

Injured Wallabies (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Peter Burge broke his leg during the opening match of the tour against Devon, while Flanagan broke his leg in the third match against Cornwall

Gavin, Kenneth - Cap No.100 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in twelve tour matches including one Test against England. A back-row forward, his club was Brothers. Gained selection after injuries to Burge and Flanagan

Griffin, Thomas - Cap No.77 (1908) by New South Wales Rugby Union and .Rugby Australia

Played in twenty-two tour matches, including one Test against Wales and in the Olympic games final. Popular on tour due to his fine voice, he was a hooker and his club was Glebe.

Hammand, Charles - Cap No.95 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in twenty-five tour matches including the two Test against Wales and England. A hooker and prop-forward from Sydney University, he missed his examinations to go on the tour.

Hickey, John - Cap No.96 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in twenty-nine tour matches, including the two Tests against Wales and England and the Olympic Games final. A centre, his club was Glebe.

Mandible, Edward - Cap No.89 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in eleven tour matches, including the Test against Wales. A leg injury coupled with heavy grounds had a severe impact on his success during the tour. A fly-half, his club was Eastern Suburbs.

McArthur, Malcolm - Cap No.101 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played twenty-one tour matches, including the Test against England and in the Olympic Games final, taking injured captain Moran's place in the team. A flanker, his club was Eastern Suburbs.

McCabe, Arthur - Cap No. 102 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played sixteen tour matches, including one Test against England and in the Olympic Games final. A fly-half, his club was South Sydney

McCue, Patrick - Cap No.78 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in thirty tour matches, including both Tests against Wales and England and in the Olympic Games final. A lock, his was a member of the Newtown Club

McIntyre, Edward - Uncapped (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Playing in only four tour matches, he left the tour in England and did not travel to America. A prop, his club was Orange.

McKivat, Christopher - Cap No.80 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in thirty-two tour matches, including both Test matches and the Olympic Games final. He captained the team on twelve occasions including the Olympic final. A half-back, his club was Glebe

McMahon, James - Team Manager (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

An Officer in the New South Wales (NSW) Lancers, McMahon had played twenty-four matches for NSW, was Vice-President of the NSW Rugby Union and a member of the selection committee for the 1908 tour

McMurtrie, Charles - Uncapped (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played thirteen tour matches including the Olympic Games final. A flanker from Orange, his club was Waratahs (Orange)

Middleton, Sydney - Cap No.103 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played thirty tour matches including one Test against England. One of the stars of the tour, he would captain Australia in three Tests in 1910. A Flanker, his club was Glebe

Moran, Herbert - Cap No.97 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Team Captain, Moran played in sixteen tour matches including one Test against Wales. He remained in England to continue his medical studies. A breakaway, clubs were Sydney University and Newcastle

Murnin, Cecil - Uncapped (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

After becoming ill on board the ship, Murnin returned to Australia from Naples. A lock, his club was Eastern Suburbs

Parkinson, Charles Cap No.91 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in seven tour matches but injuries restricted his match time. A winger, his clubs were Past Grammars (Brisbane) and Harlin

Prentice, Warden - Cap No.98 (1908) by New South Wales Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in thirteen tour matches including one Test against England, although limited by a knee-injury. A fly-half, his club was Western Suburbs

Richards, Thomas - Cap No.99 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in twenty-eight tour matches, including the two Test matches and the Olympic Games final. A flanker, he played for Charters Towers.

Row, Norman - Cap No.82 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played twenty-three tour matches including the Test against England. A flanker, his club was Eastern Suburbs.

Russell, Charles - Cap No.83 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in twenty-nine tour matches including the two Tests against Wales and England, and the Olympic Games final. A winger, he was captain of the Newtown team

Smith, Francis Bede - Cap No.70 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in twelve tour matches including the Olympic Games final. A centre, he was from country New South Wales and his clubs were Wellington (NSW) and Waratahs (Orange)

Stevenson, Joseph - Uncapped (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Played in only one tour match against Penycraig where he was severely injured and took no further part in the tour. A half-back, he played for Newcastle

Wickham, Stanley - Assistant Manager (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Wickham had played five Tests for Australia, four as Captain. An accomplished coach, a strong public campaign led to his inclusion on the tour.
His club was Western Suburbs

Wood, Frederick - Cap No.85 (1908) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia

Vice-captain, Woods played in nineteen tour matches, five as captain. A scrum-half, his club was Glebe

Credits: Story

Rugby Australia Archives
Debra Crowe
Teejar Haar
Steve Johnson
Sharpham, Peter - The first Wallabies

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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