Story: Māori rugby – whutupaoro

1888–89 New Zealand Native Rugby Football team

1888–89 New Zealand Native Rugby Football team

This is the 1888–89 New Zealand Native Rugby Football team. Joseph Warbrick organised the team, which included two sets of brothers –  five Warbrick brothers and three Wynyard brothers (one of whom joined the team in Britain). The team toured Britain, Australia and New Zealand. The players are, back row: Arthur Warbrick, A. Webster, J. R. Scott (promoter), G. Williams, William (or Billy) Warbrick and Alf Warbrick; middle row: E. Ihimaira, W. Wynyard, D. Gage, Joe Warbrick (captain), Fred Warbrick and G. Wynyard; and front row: Richard Taiaroa, T. Ellison, R. Maynard, Wi Karauria and C. Goldsmith. In 2008 Joe Warbrick individually, and the team as a whole, were inducted into the International Rugby Board Hall of Fame.

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:

Malcolm Mulholland, 'Māori rugby – whutupaoro - Origins of Māori rugby union', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/39617/1888-89-new-zealand-native-rugby-football-team (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Malcolm Mulholland, published 5 Sep 2013, updated 1 Jan 2015