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{{EngvarB|date=October 2022}}
{{distinguish|1907 New Zealand rugby union tour of Australia}}
[[File:
The '''1907–1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Australia and Great Britain''' was made by a group of [[New Zealand]] [[rugby football]]ers who played matches in [[Australia]], [[Ceylon]], [[England]] and [[Wales]] between 1907 and 1908. Most of the matches were played under the rules of the [[Rugby Football League|Northern Union]], a sport that is today known as [[rugby league]]. As such, the team were the immediate predecessors of the [[New Zealand national rugby league team]]. The tour had a large role in [[history of rugby league|establishing
The idea for a professional rugby tour was conceived by [[Albert Baskiville]], a player from the [[Wellington]] region of New Zealand. Baskiville managed to recruit a significant number of international and provincial representatives for the team; including [[George William Smith (sportsman)|George Smith]] who toured with the All Blacks team of 1905. The team played their first match in Sydney in 1907 against [[New South Wales]]. The success of the team's three matches in Sydney prompted the formation of the [[New South Wales Rugby League premiership|New South Wales Rugby League]], and also saw them recruit Australian [[Dally Messenger]] for their tour of Wales and England. After stopping over in Ceylon, the team arrived in England on 30 September 1907. The team played 35 matches in England and Wales, including a Test match against Wales, and three Tests against England. They returned via Australia where they played a further ten matches, including three Test matches against Australia. They won a total of 26 of their 46 matches.
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==Background==
{{See also|History of rugby league}}
[[Rugby union]] had established itself as the national winter game in [[New Zealand]] even before the 1905 tour of [[The Original All Blacks
==Tour preparations==
[[
In early 1907 Baskiville wrote to the Northern Rugby Football Union (NRFU) asking if they would wish to host a tour of a New Zealand rugby team. As the North of England had not had any international rugby since the tour of the [[1888-1889 New Zealand Native football team]], the NRFU was enthusiastic. On 26 March 1907 it advised its member clubs that it was "very favourably disposed" to the tour and suggested that the tourists be paid 70% of the gates with a guarantee of £3000.<ref name="haynes1996"/> The Northern Union informed Baskiville that the tour should go ahead and by May plans were firmly underway in New Zealand. Baskiville then resigned his job at the [[New Zealand Post Office]] to plan the tour full-time.<ref name="haynes1996"/>
[[File:1 June 1907 NZ Truth Professional All-Blacks.png|right|thumb|200px|Excerpt of an article from 1 June 1907 ''[[NZ Truth]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=the Professional All-Blacks|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=NZTR19070601.2.6.3|
Baskiville assembled a team of selectors; [[Duncan McGregor]], [[Massa Johnston]], [[Hercules Richard Wright]] and [[George William Smith (sportsman)|George William Smith]], and they began to think about the type of players they wished to bring on the tour. Knowing the rule changes that the Northern Union had made to their game the selectors knew [[line-out (rugby sports)|line-out]] specialists would not be required and decided to favour players with ample amounts of speed and acceleration. They also needed players that were prepared to invest some money into the venture and probably accept a lifetime ban from rugby union. In the end no less than 160 of the roughly 200 rugby union players involved in [[National Provincial Championship (1976–2005)|provincial rugby]] in New Zealand applied to go on the tour, a huge blow to the Rugby Union who had anticipated a low amount of interest.<ref name="haynes1996"/> It was from these applications that the final team was selected, with players who had indicated early they were prepared to tour being favoured. At least two rugby union internationals did not tour, [[Albert Asher|"Opai" Asher]] declined due to a broken ankle and [[George A. Gillett]] had to pull out at short notice due to injury.<ref name=Coffey /> Both were to switch to rugby league later on in their careers. In the end the tour included nine internationals and fourteen provincial players, a large number selected from the [[Wellington Rugby Union|Wellington]] and [[Auckland Rugby Union|Auckland]] teams that had recently been battling over the [[Ranfurly Shield]].
==1907 in Australia==
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With the tour plans well underway George Smith contacted [[Peter Moir]], a prominent Sydney player, asking if it would be possible to arrange a set of games in Sydney. Moir contacted others including J J Giltinan, who Smith had already talked to, before replying that a series of games would be able to be arranged.<ref name="haynes1996"/> Rugby players in Sydney shared many of the New Zealand players' concerns about payment and rules. On 8 August 1907 the [[New South Wales Rugby League]] was formed. The New South Welshmen organised quickly and were ready to welcome the New Zealanders when the main touring party arrived on 13 August 1907. The [[New South Wales Waratahs|New South Wales rugby union side]] had defeated the [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand rugby union team]] 14–0 in their second of two matches in 1907 and so were expected to be tough opponents, especially as the professional All Blacks had yet to form combinations and several of the Auckland-based players had not yet arrived in Sydney.
The first game was played on the [[Royal Agricultural Society Ground]] to a sold
[[File:Allblues07.jpg|thumb|left|200px |The New South Wales team who played the All Golds in Sydney]]▼
▲[[File:Allblues07.jpg|thumb|left|200px |The New South Wales team who played the All Golds in Sydney]]
The second game, a mid-week game, was held in front of a crowd of approximately 3,000. The All Blacks, who had made several changes, defeated the "All Blues" 19–5.
The New Zealanders then won the third match of the series 5–3 in front of a crowd of 8,000 at the Agricultural Ground.<ref>{{cite news|title=PROFESSIONAL ALL BLACKS|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1302&dat=19070828&id=-zhVAAAAIBAJ
It is unclear when the decision to invite Messenger was made, with some reports saying that he was recommended to Baskiville in New Zealand by [[George A. Gillett|George Gillett]] when he had to withdraw from the touring party due to injury.<ref name="haynes1996"/> Messenger's name was included on the contract bought over from New Zealand, indicating that the decision had already been made.<ref name=fagan08/> However, Messenger's form against the All Blacks in Sydney was certainly good enough to warrant his inclusion in the touring party. A fourth match had originally been planned in [[Melbourne]], as an attempt to foster rugby in the city, but the plans fell through for unknown reasons. Instead the All Blacks left Australia, having earned £600 from the three games. During their short stay the tourists had helped kick-start the professional movement in Sydney.<ref name=Keeps>[http://www.rl1908.com/articles/nz-1908.htm Kiwis Were Out For Keeps] ''RL1908.com'', Accessed 8 August 2009. [https://
The financial success of the All Golds' games in Sydney gave valuable momentum to Giltinan and Co.'s scheme to introduce a [[New South Wales Rugby Football League Premiership|professional district rugby football competition in Sydney]] the following season.<ref>{{cite book
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|last= Cunneen
|first= Chris
|year= 2001
|publisher= Black Inc.
Line 44 ⟶ 43:
|isbn= 1-86395-266-7
|page= 316
|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=66OBschGE_YC
|
==1907-08 in England and Wales==
While on the long sea voyage from Australia, the men tried to keep fit by training on the deck. During a stop over in [[Ceylon]] the team was challenged to a game by the Ceylon rugby union. The All Blacks won the match against {{nrut|Ceylon}} 33–8.<ref name="haynes1996"/> As a result of this match the [[New Zealand national rugby union team|rugby union New Zealand side]] declined to play the Ceylonese on the return leg of their tour, deeming that Ceylon had forfeited their amateur status by playing against Baskerville's men.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Outside Chat.
| work = NZ Truth, Issue 170
| place = New Zealand
| page = 3
| date = 1908-09-19
| url = http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=NZTR19080919.2.10.3
|
During the voyage the tourists also played a game of [[cricket]] against the ships officers and first class passengers and were again victorious, winning by an innings.<ref name="haynes1996"/> McGregor and Messenger proved to be the best bowlers in the touring party.<ref name="haynes1996"/>
The arrival of the team was met with great anticipation in the [[Yorkshire]] and [[Lancashire]], areas that had been devoid of international competition for so long. The exciting play of the 1905 Originals and the reports that the current side had won three matches in Australia only heightened the expectations of the hosts. The ''[[RMS Ortona]]'', carrying the touring side, berthed in [[Marseilles]], [[France]] and the squad took a train to [[Boulogne]] before they boarded the ''Empress''. They reached [[England]] on 30 September 1907, arriving in [[Folkestone]]. The visitors were met by the main officials of the [[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]. The team stayed the night in [[London]], where the Northern Union officials introduced the side to the press – near the headquarters of the [[Rugby Football Union|English Rugby Union]].<ref name="haynes1996"/> The next day the side
The first game was held on 9 October 1907 against [[Bramley RLFC|Bramley]]. Around 8,000 spectators packed [[Barley Mow, Bramley|McLaren Field]] in [[Bramley, Leeds|Bramley]] to see the All Blacks win 25–6 in their first game under the [[rugby league|Northern Union rules]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Baskerville|first=A. H.|title=WITH THE PROFESSIONAL "ALL BLACKS"|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=CHP19071123.2.17|
The All Blacks next
The tour's next match was in [[St Helens, Merseyside|St. Helens]] where the team visited the birthplace of [[Richard Seddon]] before playing [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]], winning 24–5. The All Blacks then moved on to Wales to play [[Merthyr Tydfil]], the club having only recently converted to the Northern Union code. The side won 27–9 and then returned to Ilkley with a number of injuries. Their next match was against [[Keighley Cougars|Keighley]], one of the top teams in the league, on [[Guy Fawkes Day]] and Smith, Messenger, Billy Wynyard, Cross and Gilchrist were all unavailable.<ref name="haynes1996"/> 8,000 supporters turned up to the match, Keighley's biggest gate at the time, and Keighley led at half time. However the All Blacks fought back and won the match 9–7 to remain unbeaten after two months of football.
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The next game was against [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]], already by this time one of the giants of the game. A massive crowd of 30,000 supporters packed in to see their local side take on the New Zealanders. The tourists fielded the strongest side they were able to, although several players were missing or playing out of position due to injuries. Despite playing well the All Blacks went down 12–8 to Wigan to record their first loss on the tour after fourteen matches. The tourists' next game was against [[Barrow Raiders|Barrow]], their first game in [[Cumberland]]. The team arrived in Barrow late, having had a train be delayed, and the weather was poor. Barrow were able to frustrate New Zealand, who could not play open football in the weather, and the All Blacks suffered their second loss in a row, going down 6–3. They next had to travel to [[Kingston upon Hull]] where they took on the [[Hull F.C.]] The game was a higher scoring affair and the visitors were able to come out winners, 18–13. For their next game, against [[Leigh Centurions|Leigh]], the weather was again poor and the All Blacks were again beaten in the rain, losing 15–9. They lost again in their next match, as 15,000 spectators watched [[Oldham R.L.F.C.|Oldham]] win 8–7 in drenching rain and, in the second half, a snowstorm.<ref name="haynes1996"/> By now it was established that in good weather the visiting side were able to beat anybody, however in the wet weather their backs were not able to handle the ball and matches were a much closer affair.<ref name="haynes1996"/> During the next Wednesday's game New Zealand were again defeated in the rain, dominated by the [[Runcorn RFC]] forwards they lost 9–0. After a string of defeats and poor weather the side's management decided to re-locate and the team was moved to Manchester, seeking slightly better weather.
The touring side next played a combined [[Dewsbury Rams|Dewsbury]] and [[Batley Bulldogs|Batley]] side, winning 18–8 in fine conditions, and backed this up by defeating [[Swinton Lions|Swinton]] 11–2 and [[Rochdale Hornets]] 19–0. The New Zealanders were then upset by [[Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.#Rugby football|Bradford F.C.]], who defeated then 7–2 in gale
===The
====Wales====
New Year's Day saw the touring party head to Wales for their first international match. Aberdare Athletic Ground was the venue of the first ever [[rugby league]] international on 1 January 1908, played between [[Wales national rugby league team|Wales]] and [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/roynoble/pages/highlights.shtml Rugby League – 100 years since it kicked off in Aberdare] BBC Radio Wales</ref><ref>[http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/sports/rugby-league-news/2007/12/23/r-league-the-day-wales-made-history-91466-20280591/ R League: The day Wales made history] Wales on Sunday, 23 December 2007</ref> The New Zealand Rugby League later recognised this match as New
{{Small|'''WALES''': [[Chick Jenkins]], [[David Thomas (rugby league)|Dai Thomas]], [[Tom Llewellyn]], [[Bert Jenkins]], [[Llewellyn Treharne]], [[David Beynon]], [[Johnny Thomas (rugby)|Johnny Thomas]], [[David Jones (rugby)|Dai Jones]], [[David Davies (rugby league)|David Davies]], [[Oliver Burgham]], [[George Thomas (rugby, born 1881)|George W. Thomas]], [[Dai Rees (rugby league born circa-1885)|Dai Rees]], [[Howell de Francis]].}}
{{Small|'''NEW ZEALAND''': [[Hubert Turtill]], [[Dally Messenger]], [[Harold Rowe]], [[Arthur Kelly (rugby league)|Arthur Kelly]], [[William Wynyard (rugby league)|William Wynyard]], [[Edgar Wrigley]], [[Richard Wynyard]], [[Massa Johnston]], [[William Mackrell]], [[Daniel Gilchrist|Dan Gilchrist]], [[Charles Pearce (rugby league)|Charles Pearce]], [[Tom Cross (rugby)|Angry Cross]], [[Hercules Richard Wright|Hercules Wright]] (c).}}
Line 87 ⟶ 81:
|bg = #eeeeee
|date = 1 January 1908
|team1 = {{Rl-rt|Wales}}
|team2 = {{Rl
|score = 9–8
|report = <ref name=wales>{{cite web|title=Wales vs New Zealand 1908 |author=Shawn Dollin |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_29/Wales-vs-New_Zealand.html |
|points1 = '''Tries:''' [[David Thomas (rugby league)|Thomas]], [[Howell de Francis|Francis]], [[David Jones (rugby)|Jones]]
|points2 = '''Tries:''' [[Arthur Kelly (rugby league)|Kelly]], [[William Wynyard (rugby league)|W.Wynyard]]<br>'''Goals:''' [[Dally Messenger|Messenger]]
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|manofmatch = |
}}
[[File:Dai Tarw Jones.jpg|thumb|170px|[[David Jones (rugby)|Dai Jones]] scored the winning try for Wales in the first match of international rugby league]]
New Zealand led the match 8–3 at halftime but the Welsh came back and [[David Jones (rugby)|Dai Jones]] scored a try with only minutes to go that put the Welsh 9–8 in front. [[Richard Wynyard|Dick Wynyard]] then dropped a pass in front of the try line and the Welsh won the first international rugby league match.<ref name=atoz />
The day after the game the touring party left Wales, heading back to [[Kingston upon Hull]] for their second visit, this time to play the [[Hull Kingston Rovers]]. The All Blacks somewhat rebounded, winning 6–3 in a tightly fought contest. Reaching the business end of the tour, the New Zealanders next headed north to play the representative Cumberland side. Here they were defeated 21–9 after resting several key players for the international against England.
====England====
The tourist next played an England XIII at [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]] in [[Wigan]]. 12,000 spectators turned up despite the ground being frozen – necessitating a layer of straw to be placed over the top. The conditions favoured an open game and by half time the score was 11-all. In the end England ran out winners 18–16, meaning the New Zealanders had now lost two internationals. After the match the All Blacks were invited to visit the [[Duke of Portland]]'s residence and they were pleased to be able to meet the famous New Zealand racing horse [[Carbine (horse)|Carbine]], all of the touring party being given a small lock of the horse's hair as a parting gift.<ref name="haynes1996"/>
The tourists now moved their base to [[Blackpool]] but their form did not improve, losing to the Lancashire county team 20–4. Going into the three test series against the Northern Union it was clear that they were not full of confidence.
===
===== Test one =====
Going into the first test [[Dally Messenger]], [[Duncan McGregor]] and [[Conrad Byrne]] were all unavailable due to influenza. Great Britain was boosted by England and Wales having both already played New Zealand, the two teams had then played each other to complete the tri-series. The weather too was poor, thick fog blamed for a low crowd, half of the 16,000 that had been predicted.<ref name="haynes1996"/>
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|bg = #eeeeee
|date = 25 January 1908
|team1 = {{Rl-rt|Great Britain|name=Northern Union}}
|team2 = {{Rl
|score = 14–6
|report = <ref name="rugbyleagueproject1908">{{cite web|title=England vs New Zealand 1908 Series – Game 1 |author=Shawn Dollin |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/England_vs_New_Zealand_1908/Game_1/England-vs-New_Zealand.html |
|points1 = '''Tries:''' [[Asa Robinson|Robinson]] (2), [[Jim Leytham|Leytham]], [[Tom Llewellyn|Llewellyn]]<br>'''Goals:''' [[Jim Jolley|Jolley]]
|points2 = '''Tries:''' [[Hubert Turtill|Turtill]], [[Richard Wynyard|R.Wynyard]]
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After thirty minutes it the game was still scoreless, until Jolley finally broke the deadlock with a drop goal. By half time Great Britain was up 8–0. [[Hubert Turtill]] scored soon after halftime and then [[Dick Wynyard]] missed an opportunity to level the scores after he had taken an intercept at halfway but failed to reach his support. Robinson then scored to put the home side ahead 14–3. Wynyard then scored a late try but it was not enough and the All Blacks were again defeated, losing the first ever test match between New Zealand and Great Britain.
The tourists then lost again, this time going down 5–3 in a mid week game against [[York
=====Test
The second test was the first time that rugby league had been played in London, and as a result the match was deemed to be important for the Northern
{{Small|'''NORTHERN UNION''': [[Harry Taylor (rugby league)|Harry Taylor]], [[Percy Eccles]], [[Tom Llewellyn]], [[Bert Jenkins]], [[Jim Leytham]], [[Jim Jolley]], [[John Baxter (rugby league)|Johnnie Baxter]], [[George Ruddick]], [[David Jones (rugby)|Dai Jones]], [[Arthur Smith (rugby)|Arthur Smith]], [[George Thomas (rugby, born 1881)|George Thomas]], [[Harry Wilson (rugby league)|Harry Wilson]], [[Silas Warwick]].}}
{{Small|'''NEW ZEALAND''': [[Hubert Turtill]], [[Dally Messenger]], [[George William Smith (sportsman)|George William Smith]] (c), [[Lance Todd]], [[William Tyler (rugby league)|William Tyler]], [[Edgar Wrigley]], [[Richard Wynyard]], [[Massa Johnston]], [[Tom Cross (rugby)|Angry Cross]], [[Charles Pearce (rugby league)|Charles Pearce]], [[Daniel Gilchrist|Dan Gilchrist]], [[William Trevarthen]], [[Charles Dunning (rugby league)|Charles Dunning]].}}
Line 143 ⟶ 139:
|bg = #eeeeee
|date = 8 February 1908
|team1 = {{Rl-rt|Great Britain|name=Northern Union}}
|team2 = {{Rl
|score = 6–18
|report = <ref name="rugbyleagueproject2">{{cite web|title=England vs New Zealand 1908 Series – Game 2 |author=Shawn Dollin |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/England_vs_New_Zealand_1908/Game_2/England-vs-New_Zealand.html |
|points1 = '''Tries:''' [[Percy Eccles|Eccles]], [[Jim Leytham|Leytham]]
|points2 = '''Tries:''' [[George William Smith (sportsman)|Smith]], [[Massa Johnston|Johnston]], [[Lance Todd|Todd]], [[Richard Wynyard|R.Wynyard]]<br>'''Goals:''' [[Dally Messenger|Messenger]] (3)
Line 157 ⟶ 153:
In the second test match New Zealand completely outplayed Great Britain, with the home side being held score less until the last five minutes. The tourists' win set up the series at 1-all and the spotlight then moved to [[Cheltenham]], the scene of the third and deciding test match.
=====Test
The morning before the third and final test match was filled with rain. The weather may have contributed to the reduced crowd, although the game was being played in the Midlands in an area that was a stronghold of rugby union. The Great Britain selectors had made a series of changes for the third match and had included [[Billy Batten]], who was making his international debut. In contrast the visitors' team remained unchanged from their win in the second test.
{{Small|'''NORTHERN UNION''': [[Harry Taylor (rugby league)|Harry Taylor]], [[George Tyson (1900s rugby league)|George Tyson]], [[Phil Thomas (rugby
{{Small|'''NEW ZEALAND''': [[Hubert Turtill]], [[Dally Messenger]], [[George William Smith (sportsman)|George William Smith]] (c), [[Lance Todd]], [[William Tyler (rugby league)|William Tyler]], [[Edgar Wrigley]], [[Richard Wynyard]], [[Massa Johnston]], [[Tom Cross (rugby)|Angry Cross]], [[Charles Pearce (rugby league)|Charles Pearce]], [[Daniel Gilchrist|Dan Gilchrist]], [[William Trevarthen]], [[Charles Dunning (rugby league)|Charles Dunning]].}}
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|bg = #eeeeee
|date = 15 February 1908
|team1 = {{Rl-rt|Great Britain|name=Northern Union}}
|team2 = {{Rl
|score = 5–8
|report = <ref name="rugbyleagueproject3">{{cite web|title=England vs New Zealand 1908 Series – Game 3 |author=Shawn Dollin |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/England_vs_New_Zealand_1908/Game_3/England-vs-New_Zealand.html |
|points1 = '''Tries:''' [[Jim Jolley|Jolley]]<br>'''Goals:''' [[Thomas White (rugby league)|White]]
|points2 = '''Tries:''' [[Dally Messenger|Messenger]], [[Massa Johnston|Jonhston]]<br>'''Goals:'''[[Edgar Wrigley|Wrigley]]
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The British began the game on the attack and scored early through a White penalty. Because of the conditions the match developed into a forwards slog. Just before half time Great Britain scored and took a 5–0 lead into the break. However, with the wind at their backs, the New Zealanders dominated the second half. They were held out by the British however until, with just seven minutes to go, the tourists finally scored through Messenger. The try was converted and the score was 5-all. With a few minutes remaining Tom "Angry" Cross was sent off. This seemed to inspire the All Black forwards and they pushed hard in a scrum near the British line, resulting in Massa Johnston crashing over to score the winning try. The New Zealand side therefore had won the first rugby league test series 2–1.
The tourists then returned North for their final game in England, a re-match against [[St Helens R.F.C.]]
==1908 in Australia==
The New Zealanders arrived in Australia on 9 April 1908 lacking match fitness after the sea voyage and being short of backs. Several had stayed in Britain and Messenger was to revert to his home teams to play for [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] and [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] against the tourists. The All Blacks therefore called up [[James Barber (rugby league)|James Barber]], a provincial scrum half and utility player who had previously represented [[Wellington Rugby Union|Wellington]]. They then spread themselves around the eight [[New South Wales Rugby Football League]] clubs that were preparing for the [[1908 NSWRFL season]], Australia's first in [[rugby league]], and helped advise them on the rules of the new game.<ref name=Keeps />
The tourists stayed in Sydney long enough to watch the first round of the new premiership season, which began on Easter Monday, before heading north to [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]].<ref name=newcastle /> Here they played a [[Newcastle Rebels|Newcastle side]] at rugby union, defeating them 53–6. They then played a "Northern Districts" selection and defeated them 37–8 in the first ever game of rugby league played in Newcastle.<ref name=newcastle>[http://www.rl1908.com/articles/newc.htm Newcastle's First Rugby League Match] ''RL1908.com'', Accessed 8 August 2009. [https://
The touring side then returned to Sydney for two matches against [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]]. The first game was played on 2 May. Sydney had produced a very warm day for the match and the Australian ground suited the open passing of the new [[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]'s rules. The Blues were ahead 14–7 at half time and went on to win the match 18–10. The crowd was impressed with the new code and remained behind after the match to applaud the two teams. This game helped ensure that rugby league would become the dominant winter code in New South Wales.<ref name="haynes1996"/> The second game was just as open and the New South Wales side again managed to win 13–10, with the All Blacks being denied a try on full-time by a linesman's call.
===Test
The first
{{Small|'''AUSTRALIA''': [[Charlie Hedley]], [[Frank Cheadle]], [[Jim Devereux]], [[Dally Messenger]], [[Doug McLean, Sr.|Doug McLean]], [[Albert Rosenfeld]], [[Mick Dore]], [[Ash Hennessy]] (c), [[
{{Small|'''NEW ZEALAND''': [[Hubert Turtill]] (c), [[William Wynyard (rugby league)|William Wynyard]], [[James Barber (rugby league)|John Barber]], [[Harold Rowe]], [[Albert Baskiville]], [[William Tyler (rugby league)|William Tyler]], [[Richard Wynyard]], [[Hercules Richard Wright|Hercules Wright]], [[Conrad Byrne]], [[William Trevarthan]], [[William Mackrell]], [[Charles Pearce (rugby league)|Charles Pearce]], [[Daniel Gilchrist|Dan Gilchrist]].}}
Line 198 ⟶ 194:
|bg = #eeeeee
|date = 9 May 1908
|team1 = {{Rl-rt|Australia}}
|team2 = {{Rl
|score = 10–11
|report = <ref name="rugbyleagueproject4">{{cite web|title=Australia vs New Zealand 1908 Series – Game 1 |author=Shawn Dollin |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Australia_vs_New_Zealand_1908/Game_1/Australia-vs-New_Zealand.html |
|points1 = '''Tries:''' [[Dinny Lutge|Lutge]], [[Albert Rosenfeld|Rosenfeld]]<br>'''Goals:''' [[Dally Messenger|Messenger]] (2)
|points2 = '''Tries:''' [[Richard Wynyard|R.Wynyard]] (2), [[Albert Baskiville|Baskiville]]<br>'''Goals:''' [[Hubert Turtill|Turtill]]
Line 214 ⟶ 210:
The tourists then headed north to [[Brisbane]] for a series of matches leading up to the second test match. The visit did much to kick start rugby league in Queensland.<ref name=atoz /> The matches played by the visiting New Zealand side were the first games of rugby league played in the state, despite three Queensland players having already represented the Kangaroos in the first test in Sydney.<ref name=Keeps /> Baskiville had become ill on the sea voyage up from Sydney and he did not play again for the tourists, being admitted to hospital. The first game, without Baskiville was held on 16 May against [[Queensland state rugby league team|Queensland]]. The Queensland side included [[Bill Hardcastle]] who had been an All Black in 1897 before moving to Queensland. New Zealand ran out winners 34–12 in a match that impressed the press and the spectators. The midweek game was against a [[Brisbane Metropolitan]] side and the tourists ran out winners 43–10. After the match the players rushed to the Victoria Private Hospital to check on Baskiville. They found him unconscious and his condition quickly deteriorated. Albert Baskiville died late in the afternoon and of 20 May 1908.<ref name=Keeps /> Harry Palmer headed home with his casket accompanied by a group of players representing each province. Baskiville was buried at Karori Cemetery in Wellington. In the meantime the remaining players had to prepare for the further two test matches. In the build-up they drew 12-all with the same Queensland side that they had earlier beaten 34–12.
===Test
After the [[Queensland rugby league team]] played its first two matches ever against the touring New Zealanders, who also played a match against [[Brisbane rugby league team|Brisbane]], the Second Test match against Australia was played in Brisbane and 6,000 spectators turned up to watch the first test match to be held in the state. The All Blacks, still grieving over the loss of Baskiville, could only field a skeleton team and did not perform a pre-match haka.<ref name="haynes1996"/>
Line 224 ⟶ 220:
|bg = #eeeeee
|date = 30 May 1908
|team1 = {{Rl-rt|Australia}}
|team2 = {{Rl
|score = 12–24
|report = <ref name="rugbyleagueproject5">{{cite web|title=Australia vs New Zealand 1908 Series – Game 2 |author=Shawn Dollin |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Australia_vs_New_Zealand_1908/Game_2/Australia-vs-New_Zealand.html |
|points1 = '''Tries:''' [[Bill Hardcastle|Hardcastle]], [[Dinny Lutge|Lutge]]<br>'''Goals:''' [[Dally Messenger|Messenger]] (3)
|points2 = '''Tries:''' [[Harold Rowe|Rowe]] (2), [[Tom Cross (rugby)|Cross]], [[Richard Wynyard|R.Wynyard]]<br>'''Goals:''' [[Edgar Wrigley|Wrigley]] (6)
Line 240 ⟶ 236:
The tourists then headed back to Sydney to prepare for their final match. While they had been in Brisbane the first [[New Zealand Māori rugby league team]] had arrived in Sydney on 29 May for their own tour of Australia. The side was led by [[Albert Asher|"Opai" Asher]] and was to prove another boost to the finances of the New South Wales Rugby Football League.
===Test
The touring [[New Zealand Māori rugby league team]] were at the Showgrounds supporting New Zealand side for the final test, which drew a crowd of 14,000.
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|bg = #eeeeee
|date = 6 June 1908
|team1 = {{Rl-rt|Australia}}
|team2 = {{Rl
|score = 14–9
|report = <ref name="rugbyleagueproject6">{{cite web|title=Australia vs New Zealand 1908 Series – Game 3 |author=Shawn Dollin |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Australia_vs_New_Zealand_1908/Game_3/Australia-vs-New_Zealand.html |
|points1 = '''Tries:''' [[Tommy Anderson (rugby league)|Anderson]], [[Robert Graves (rugby)|Graves]], [[Lou Jones (rugby league)|Jones]], [[Dally Messenger|Messenger]]<br>'''Goals:''' [[Dally Messenger|Messenger]] (1)
|points2 = '''Tries:''' [[Richard Wynyard|R.Wynyard]]<br>'''Goals:''' [[Edgar Wrigley|Wrigley]] (3)
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|manofmatch = |
}}
The game developed into a tight, low
The second visit to Australia by the tourists had done much to boost the game in the country. They had played the first ever rugby league matches in Newcastle and Brisbane and had boosted the coffers of the fledgling [[New South Wales Rugby League]] and [[Queensland Rugby League]] organisations.<ref name=Keeps /> The New Zealanders then headed home to very little fanfare, and certainly nothing to match the lavish official welcome that had been granted [[The Original All Blacks]] in 1905.
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In Australia the tour had helped spark the establishment of the game and helped offset the costs of the [[New South Wales Rugby League]]'s expensive [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1908|first season]]. Australia was soon to send its own [[1908–09 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain|touring party]] to Great Britain, although the side did not make as much of a profit as Baskerville's All Blacks had.
In New Zealand the "Northern Union code" did not manage to successfully establish itself as quickly as it did in Australia. [[Albert Baskiville]] had been the tour's chief organiser and his death was a huge blow to the game in New Zealand as well as the players personally. Baskiville had also been talking about arranging a tour of the [[United States of America]] before his death. In some ways the New Zealanders were too successful as the number of them signing professional contracts meant that there were fewer players to help establish the game back home. [[Daniel Fraser (rugby league)|Daniel Fraser]] took a role in organising matches and at [[Victoria Park, Auckland|Victoria Park]] on 24 August 1908 8,000 people watched Auckland, captained by [[Richard Wynyard]], defeat Wellington 16–14 in the first provincial match in New Zealand. The two sides met in Petone on 12 September and drew 13-all. A New Zealand side toured Australia in 1909, including six of the original touring party. In Auckland [[William Tyler (rugby league)|Billy Tyler]] and [[Charles Dunning (rugby league)|Charlie Dunning]] helped to form the [[Ponsonby Ponies]] club while [[William Mackrell]] was involved in establishing the Newton rugby league club and the [[Auckland Rugby League]] competition started in 1910. The [[New Zealand Rugby Football League]] was formally established on 25 April 1910 in preparation for a Great Britain tour later that same year.<ref name=Coffey>{{cite book |title=The Kiwis: 100 Years of International Rugby League |last1=Coffey |first1=John |last2=Wood |first2=Bernie
▲In New Zealand the "Northern Union code" did not manage to successfully establish itself as quickly as it did in Australia. [[Albert Baskiville]] had been the tour's chief organiser and his death was a huge blow to the game in New Zealand as well as the players personally. Baskiville had also been talking about arranging a tour of the [[United States of America]] before his death. In some ways the New Zealanders were too successful as the number of them signing professional contracts meant that there were fewer players to help establish the game back home. [[Daniel Fraser (rugby league)|Daniel Fraser]] took a role in organising matches and at [[Victoria Park, Auckland|Victoria Park]] on 24 August 1908 8,000 people watched Auckland, captained by [[Richard Wynyard]], defeat Wellington 16–14 in the first provincial match in New Zealand. The two sides met in Petone on 12 September and drew 13-all. A New Zealand side toured Australia in 1909, including six of the original touring party. In Auckland [[William Tyler (rugby league)|Billy Tyler]] and [[Charles Dunning (rugby league)|Charlie Dunning]] helped to form the [[Ponsonby Ponies]] club while [[William Mackrell]] was involved in establishing the Newton rugby league club and the [[Auckland Rugby League]] competition started in 1910. The [[New Zealand Rugby Football League]] was formally established on 25 April 1910 in preparation for a Great Britain tour later that same year.<ref name=Coffey>{{cite book |title=The Kiwis: 100 Years of International Rugby League |last1=Coffey |first1=John |last2=Wood |first2=Bernie |authorlink= |year= |publisher=HLNZ Sport Hardback |location= |isbn=1-86971-090-8 |oclc= |page= |pages= |url= |accessdate=}}</ref> The [[Wellington Rugby League|Wellington]] and [[Canterbury Rugby League]] competitions were not to start until 1913.<ref name=Coffey />
==Legacy==
In 2002 a [[Baskerville Shield]] was created to be contested each time New Zealand took on Great Britain. In 2007 the team was commemorated by the 2007 All Golds Tour which featured an All Golds v Northern Union match as well as a three test series between the [[New Zealand national rugby league team]] and [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]]. [[Steve Price (rugby league)|Steve Price]] played the role of Dally Messenger, playing in the All Golds match.<ref name="Prop Price given All Golds berth">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6920815.stm|title=Prop Price given All Golds berth|publisher=BBC|date=2007-07-28|
| last = Jessup
| first = Peter
Line 288 ⟶ 284:
| date = 2003-10-18
| url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=3529501
|
==Professional status==
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==Name==
{{Football kit box
|align=right|pattern_la=|pattern_b=_Kiwis1908|pattern_ra=|pattern_sh=|pattern_so=_whitetop|leftarm=000000|body=000000|rightarm=000000|shorts=000000|socks=000000
The team's registered title was "The New Zealand All Black Rugby Football Team" and it was most often referred to as the ''All Blacks'' on the tour,<ref name=split>{{cite book|last=Collins|first=Tony|title=Rugby's Great Split: Class, Culture and the Origins of Rugby League Football|year=2006|publisher=Routledge|location=UK|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dr6FLNcLsgIC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=true}}</ref> the same name which had been given to [[The Original All Blacks|The Original]] amateur [[rugby union]] team on their tour of Great Britain in 1905. Like the Originals they were sometimes referred to in the press as ''New Zealand'' or other names such as ''[[Maorilanders]]'' and ''Colonials''. Less favourable members of the press referred to them as the ''All Golds'' or ''Pro Blacks'' — highlighting the fact that the team was playing for money. The term All Golds was first coined by the ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' in 1907 as a headline. However colloquially the players would have probably referred to themselves as the All Blacks or the New Zealand rugby team.<ref name="nzrl-pr03-10-2007"/><ref>[http://www.rl1908.com/articles/all-golds.htm "All Golds" – Just A Name?] ''RL1908.com'', Accessed 8 August 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/5iwNr8jyb?url=http://www.rl1908.com/articles/all-golds.htm Archived] 2009-08-11.</ref>▼
|title= Kit worn in the tour}}
▲The team's registered title was "The New Zealand All Black Rugby Football Team" and it was most often referred to as the ''All Blacks'' on the tour,<ref name=split>{{cite book|last=Collins|first=Tony|title=Rugby's Great Split: Class, Culture and the Origins of Rugby League Football|year=2006|publisher=Routledge|location=UK|isbn=9780415396165|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dr6FLNcLsgIC
Later on, the [[New Zealand national rugby league team]] began to be known as the Kiwis instead of the All Blacks. Referring back to the 1907–08 team historians have often called them the ''professional All Blacks'' or ''All Golds''. The [[New Zealand Rugby League]] has made an effort to reclaim the name All Golds from the negative connotations it once held, and in 1997 fought a legal case over the use of the name with the [[Australian Rugby League]] during the [[Super League war]]. In [[2007 All Golds Tour|2007]] and 2008 an All Golds team took the field to celebrate the centenary of international rugby league.
==Squad==
[[File:
The side selected was regarded as surprisingly strong, given the secretive circumstances that it was selected, and included a good mix of experience (nine internationals and fourteen provincial players) and youth.<ref name="haynes1996"/> ===Backs===
Line 306 ⟶ 305:
*[[Herbert Turtill]] – Fullback: A rugby union international who played in 1905 against Australia, Turtill was from the [[Canterbury Rugby Union|Canterbury]] side and was regarded as well versed in wet weather football.
*[[Harold Rowe]] – Fullback: An [[Auckland Rugby Union|Auckland]] provincial player who had utility value.
*[[Duncan McGregor]] – Three
*[[George William Smith (sportsman)|George William Smith]] (vice-captain) – Three
*[[Dally Messenger]] – Three
*[[Albert Henry Baskerville|Albert Baskiville]] – Wing: A speedy winger, Baskiville played in few matches as he concentrated on managing the tour. However he starred in the Australian tests before his tragic death.
*[[Edgar Wrigley]] – Outside
*[[Joseph Lavery]] – Centre: A Canterbury representative Lavery had also played for South Island in 1903.
*[[Richard Wynyard]] – Inside
*[[William Wynyard (rugby league)|William Wynyard]] – Inside
*[[Lance Todd]] – Inside
*[[Edward Tyne]] – Half
*[[William Tyler (rugby league)|William Tyler]] – Half
*[[Arthur Kelly (rugby league)|Arthur Kelly]] – Half
*[[Jim Gleeson (rugby league)|Jim Gleeson]] – Half
===Forwards===
Line 326 ⟶ 325:
*[[Hercules Richard Wright|Hercules Richard "Bumper" Wright]] (captain) – Hooker: The current Petone and Wellington captain, Wright had also represented North Wairarapa. When he was a soldier in the [[Boer War]], Wright had played for the [[New Zealand Army]] Corps team.
*[[Conrad Byrne]] – Forward: A farmer and Wellington representative, Byrne was considered a rising star at only 23.
*[[Adam Lile]] – Forward: A
*[[Daniel Gilchrist]] – Forward: Despite being only 23 Gilchrist had represented Wellington consistently since 1904.
*[[Arthur Callum]] – Forward: An insurance agent and club mate of Gilchrist, Callum had played for Wellington in 1905 and 1907.
*[[Charles Pearce (rugby league)|Charles Pearce]] – Forward: From Canterbury, Pearce was selected both for his experience and his size. Pearce was a
*[[William Trevarthen]] – Forward: An Auckland representative, Trevarthen had played for [[Ohinemuri Rugby Union|Ohinemuri]] in 1900 and since 1904 had represented Auckland.
*[[Charles Dunning (rugby league)|Charles Dunning]] – Forward: Dunning was a builder by trade and had represented both Gisbourne and Auckland, where he had become a key member of the Ranfurly Shield team and represented the North Island.
Line 335 ⟶ 334:
===Administrators===
*[[Daniel Fraser (rugby league)|Daniel Fraser]] – Fraser was from the Petone club in Wellington and had also played for the New Zealand Army Corps in South Africa. He joined the tour in New South Wales and acted as the
*Henry J. Palmer – Financial
==Organisation==
As the [[New Zealand Rugby League]] was not yet set up, the tour had no official administration body. The touring party legally formed itself into an organisation (''The New Zealand All Black Rugby Football team'') and each played invested £50 of their own money, quite a sum at that time. The players were paid £1 per week for expenses and then the profits (if any) were to be divided equally at the end of the tour. No bonuses of any kind were paid. [[Albert Henry Baskerville|Albert Baskiville]] acted as the tours secretary and did much of the administrative work. He was supported by Harry Palmer (
Disputes while on tour were heard by a Management Committee. This consisted of Jim Gleeson, Harry Palmer, Duncan McGregory, Massa Johnston, Lance Todd, Bumper Wright and Bert Baskiville. This committee had the power to impose fines for indiscretions and even expel someone from the tour party if it was deemed to be necessary.<ref name="haynes1996"/>
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|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:
|-
!Date!! Opponent !! Venue!! Result!! Score!! Rules!! Attendance!! Report
|-
|17 August 1907||{{leagueicon|New South Wales|12}} [[New South Wales state rugby league team|New South Wales]]||[[Royal Agricultural Society Ground]], [[Sydney]]||Won||12–8||[[Rugby Football Union]]||20,000||<ref>{{cite web|title=New South Wales Firsts vs. New Zealand |author=Shawn Dollin |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_1/NSW_Firsts-vs-New_Zealand.html |
|-
|21 August 1907||{{leagueicon|New South Wales|12}} [[New South Wales state rugby league team|New South Wales]]||[[Royal Agricultural Society Ground]], [[Sydney]]||Won||19–5||[[Rugby Football Union]]||3,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_2/NSW_Firsts-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=14 February 2016|
|-
|24 August 1907||{{leagueicon|New South Wales|12}} [[New South Wales state rugby league team|New South Wales]]||[[Royal Agricultural Society Ground]], [[Sydney]]||Won||5–3||[[Rugby Football Union]]||8,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_3/NSW_Firsts-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=14 February 2016|
|-
|12 September 1907||{{flagicon|British Ceylon|12}} [[Sri Lanka national rugby union team|All Ceylon]]||[[Colombo Racecourse]], [[Colombo]]||Won||33–6||[[Rugby Football Union]]||3,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_4/Ceylon-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=14 February 2016|
|-
|9 October 1907||{{leagueicon|Castleford|12}} [[Bramley RLFC|Bramley]]||[[Barley Mow, Bramley|McLaren Field]], [[Bramley, Leeds|Bramley]]||Won||25–6||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||6,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_5/Bramley-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=16 February 2016|
|-
|12 October 1907||{{leagueicon|Huddersfield|12}} [[Huddersfield Giants|Huddersfield]] ||[[Fartown Ground, Huddersfield|Fartown Ground]], [[Huddersfield]]|| Won|| 19–8||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||10,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_6/Huddersfield-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=13 February 2016|
|-
|17 October 1907||{{leagueicon|Widnes|12}} [[Widnes Vikings|Widnes]] ||[[Lowerhouse Lane]], [[Widnes]]|| Won|| 26–11||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||8,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_7/Widnes-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=15 February 2016|
|-
|19 October 1907||{{leagueicon|Cronulla|12}} [[Broughton Rangers]]||[[Wheater's Field]], [[Broughton, Salford|Broughton]]|| Won|| 20–14||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||24,000||
|-
|23 October 1907||{{leagueicon|Wakefield|12}} [[Wakefield Trinity]] ||[[Belle Vue (Wakefield)|Belle Vue]], [[Wakefield]]|| Drew|| 5–5||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||5,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_9/Wakefield_Trinity-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=15 February 2016|
|-
|26 October 1907||{{leagueicon|Leeds|12}} [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]] ||[[Elland Road]], [[Leeds]]|| Won|| 8–2||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||12,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_10/Leeds-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=14 February 2016|
|-
|30 October 1907||{{leagueicon|St Helens|12}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]] ||[[Knowsley Road]], [[St Helens, Merseyside|St. Helens]]|| Won|| 24–5||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_11/St_Helens-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=15 February 2016|
|-
|2 November 1907||{{leagueicon|Wales|12}} [[Merthyr Tydfil RLFC|Merthyr Tydfil]]|| [[Merthyr Tydfil]]|| Won|| 27–9||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_12/Merthyr-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=14 February 2016|
|-
|5 November 1907||{{leagueicon|Keighley|12}} [[Keighley Cougars|Keighley]] ||[[Cougar Park|Lawkholme Lane]], [[Keighley]]|| Won|| 9–7||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||8,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_13/Keighley-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=14 February 2016|
|-
|9 November 1907||{{leagueicon|Wigan|12}} [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] ||[[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]]|| Lost|| 8–12||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||30,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_14/Wigan-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=14 February 2016|
|-
|13 November 1907||{{leagueicon|Barrow|12}} [[Barrow Raiders|Barrow]] ||Cavendish Park, [[Barrow-in-Furness]]|| Lost|| 3–6||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||7,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_15/Barrow-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=18 February 2016|
|-
|16 November 1907||{{leagueicon|Hull|12}} [[Hull F.C.]]||[[The Boulevard (stadium)|The Boulevard]], [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]]|| Won|| 18–13||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_16/Hull_FC-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=12 February 2016|
|-
|20 November 1907||{{leagueicon|Leigh|12}} [[Leigh Centurions|Leigh]] ||Mather Lane, [[Leigh, Greater Manchester|Leigh]]|| Lost|| 9–15||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_17/Leigh-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=13 February 2016|
|-
|23 November 1907||{{leagueicon|Oldham|12}} [[Oldham R.L.F.C.|Oldham]] ||[[Watersheddings]], [[Oldham]]|| Lost|| 7–8||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||15,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_18/Oldham-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=17 February 2016|
|-
|27 November 1907||{{leagueicon|Ipswich|12}} [[Runcorn RFC|Runcorn]]||[[Canal Street (Runcorn)|Canal Street]], [[Runcorn]]|| Lost|| 0–9||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||5,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_19/Runcorn-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=18 February 2016|
|-
|30 November 1907||{{leagueicon|Dewsbury|12}} [[Dewsbury Rams|Dewsbury]] / [[Batley Bulldogs|Batley]] XIII||[[West Yorkshire]]|| Won|| 18–8||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_20/Dewsbury-Batley-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=15 February 2016|
|-
|4 December 1907||{{leagueicon|Swinton|12}} [[Swinton Lions|Swinton]]||Chorley Road, [[Swinton, Greater Manchester|Swinton]]|| Won|| 11–2||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_21/Swinton-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=13 February 2016|
|-
|7 December 1907||{{leagueicon|Rochdale|12}} [[Rochdale Hornets]]||[[Athletic Grounds, Greater Manchester|Athletic Grounds]], [[Rochdale]]|| Won|| 19–0||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_22/Rochdale_Hornets-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=15 February 2016|
|-
|10 December 1907||{{leagueicon|Ireland|12}} [[Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.#Rugby football|Bradford F.C.]]||[[Park Avenue (stadium)|Greenfield]], [[Bradford]]|| Lost|| 2–7||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||4,000||
|-
|14 December 1907||{{leagueicon|Halifax|12}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]]||[[Thrum Hall]], [[Halifax, West Yorkshire|Halifax]]|| Lost|| 4–9||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||11,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_24/Halifax-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=14 February 2016|
|-
|18 December 1907||{{flagicon|Yorkshire|12}} [[
|-
|21 December 1907||{{leagueicon|Warrington|12}} [[Warrington Wolves|Warrington]] ||[[Wilderspool Stadium]], [[Warrington]]|| Lost|| 7–8||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||10,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_26/Warrington-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=13 February 2016|
|-
|26 December 1907||{{leagueicon|Hunslet|12}} [[Hunslet R.L.F.C.|Hunslet]]||[[Parkside, Hunslet|Parkview Ground]], [[Hunslet]]|| Drew|| 11–11||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_27/Hunslet-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=18 February 2016|
|-
|28 December 1907||{{leagueicon|Salford City|12}} [[Salford Red Devils|Salford]] ||[[The Willows, Salford|The Willows]], [[Salford, Greater Manchester|Salford]]|| Won|| 9–2||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||12,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_28/Salford-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=17 February 2016|
|-
|1 January 1908||{{leagueicon|Wales|12}} [[Wales national rugby league team|Wales]] ||[[Aberdare Athletic Ground]], [[Aberdare]]|| Lost|| 8–9||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||20,000||<ref name=wales/>
|-
|4 January 1908||{{leagueicon|Hull KR|12}} [[Hull Kingston Rovers]]||Craven Street, [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]]|| Won|| 6–3||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||10,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_30/Hull_Kingston_Rovers-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=16 February 2016|
|-
|8 January 1908||{{flagicon|Cumbria|12}} [[Cumberland rugby league team|Cumberland]]||[[Lonsdale Park]], [[Workington]]|| Lost|| 9–21||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_31/Cumberland-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=13 February 2016|
|-
|11 January 1908||{{flagicon|England|12}} [[England national rugby league team|England XIII]]||[[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]]|| Lost|| 16–18||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||12,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Dates/11_January_1908/England-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=England vs New Zealand 1908 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=13 February 2016|
|-
|18 January 1908||{{flagicon|Lancashire|12}} [[
|-
|25 January 1908||{{flagicon|GBR|12}} [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Northern Union]] ||[[Headingley Rugby Stadium|Headingley]], [[Leeds]]|| Lost|| 6–14||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||8,182||<ref name="rugbyleagueproject1908"/>
|-
|29 January 1908||{{leagueicon|
|-
|1 February 1908||{{leagueicon|Wales|12}} [[Ebbw Vale RLFC|Ebbw Vale]]|| [[Eugene Cross Park|Bridge End Field]], [[Ebbw Vale]]|| Won|| 3–2||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||10,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_36/Ebbw_Vale-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=13 February 2016|
|-
|8 February 1908||{{flagicon|GBR|12}} [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Northern Union]]||[[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]], [[London]]|| Won|| 18–6||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||14,000||<ref name="rugbyleagueproject2"/>
|-
|15 February 1908||{{flagicon|GBR|12}} [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Northern Union]]||[[Whaddon Road]], [[Cheltenham]]|| Won|| 8–5||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||4,000||<ref name="rugbyleagueproject3"/>
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|22 February 1908||{{leagueicon|St Helens|12}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]||[[Knowsley Road]], [[St Helens, Merseyside|St. Helens]]|| Won|| 21–10||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_39/St_Helens-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=15 February 2016|
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|22 April 1908||{{leagueicon|Newcastle1908|12}} [[Newcastle Rebels|Newcastle]]||[[Newcastle Entertainment Centre|Newcastle Showgrounds]], [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]|| Won|| 53–6||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]] ||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_40/Newcastle_Firsts-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907/08|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=13 February 2016|
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|25 April 1908||{{leagueicon|Newcastle1908|12}} [[Newcastle Rebels|Northern Districts]]||[[Newcastle Entertainment Centre|Newcastle Showgrounds]], [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]|| Won|| 37–8||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||700||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_41/Northern_Districts-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=16 February 2016|
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|2 May 1908||{{leagueicon|New South Wales|12}} [[New South Wales state rugby league team|New South Wales]] ||[[Royal Agricultural Society Ground]], [[Sydney]]|| Lost|| 10–18||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||18,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_42/NSW_Firsts-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=13 February 2016|
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|6 May 1908||{{leagueicon|New South Wales|12}} [[New South Wales state rugby league team|New South Wales]] ||[[Royal Agricultural Society Ground]], [[Sydney]]|| Lost|| 10–13||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||8,000||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_43/NSW_Firsts-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=14 February 2016|
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|9 May 1908||{{flagicon|AUS|12}} [[Australian Kangaroos|Australia]]||[[Royal Agricultural Society Ground]], [[Sydney]]|| Won|| 11–10||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||20,000||<ref name="rugbyleagueproject4"/>
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|16 May 1908||{{leagueicon|Queensland|12}} [[Queensland Maroons|Queensland]]||[[Brisbane Exhibition Ground]], [[Brisbane]]|| Won|| 34–12||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_45/QLD_Firsts-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=12 February 2016|
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|20 May 1908||{{leagueicon|St Helens|12}} [[Brisbane rugby league team|Brisbane]]||[[Brisbane Exhibition Ground]], [[Brisbane]]|| Won|| 43–10||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_46/Brisbane_Firsts-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=15 February 2016|
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|23 May 1908||{{leagueicon|Queensland|12}} [[Queensland Maroons|Queensland]]||[[Brisbane Exhibition Ground]], [[Brisbane]]|| Drew|| 12–12||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/All_Blacks_Tour_1907/Game_47/QLD_Firsts-vs-New_Zealand.html|title=All Blacks Tour 1907 Series|author=Shawn Dollin and Andrew Ferguson|date=14 February 2016|
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|30 May 1908||{{flagicon|AUS|12}} [[Australian Kangaroos|Australia]]||[[Brisbane Exhibition Ground]], [[Brisbane]]|| Won|| 24–12||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||6,000||<ref name="rugbyleagueproject5"/>
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|6 June 1908||{{flagicon|AUS|12}} [[Australian Kangaroos|Australia]]||[[Royal Agricultural Society Ground]], [[Sydney]]|| Lost|| 9–14||[[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]]||14,000||<ref name="rugbyleagueproject6"/>
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