Early ‘rebels’ banned for life

Press, 15 April 1986, Page 3

Early ‘rebels’ banned for life

By

JOHN COFFEY

Lifetime suspensions were the sentences imposed by the New Zealand Rugby Union on the officials and players who comprised the only previous “rebel” team to be assembled in this country for an unauthorised overseas tour.

The maximum penalties were given to all who participated in bringing together the 1907-08 All Golds, who played in Australia before and after their 35-match British itinerary and effectively founded rugby league on both sides of the Tasman. There were several parallels with the present situation. For months before the side’s departure there was speculation in the news media concerning those involved, and when the players left it was to the accompaniment of jeers and cheers from people with sharply opposed views. Ironically, the formation of the All Golds could

be traced to the tour of Britain by the original All Blacks of 1905. While in the north of England several of the All Blacks were impressed with what they saw of the breakaway Northern Union 13-a-side code which had severed its ties with the English Rugby Union 10 years earlier. Among them was George Smith, a champion athlete as well as an outstanding wing, who had discussions with prominent sportsmen in Australia on his way back to New Zealand.

Meanwhile, a young Post Office employee, rugby union author (his book, “Modern Rugby Football, New Zealand Methods” was published in 1906) and keen club footballer in Wellington, Albert Henry Baskerville, had been in touch with Northern Union authorities about the possibility of organising a tour. Baskerville and Smith were to combine forces at a time when there was controversy over the rules of the game and the amount of expenses paid to players — two subjects which have caused considerable debate in the modern era. There had been discontent within the 1905 All Black camp with the allowance of 21 shillings a week, some of the players openly referring to themselves as “three bob a day men.” Suggested rule variations from New Zealand were seldom treated seriously by the parent English Rugby Union. Wfrjp news of Baskerville’s 1 activities reached

the New Zealand Rugby Union it sought, through its provincial bodies, to have him banned from playing fields throughout New Zealand.

Having sought to restrain Baskerville, the Rugby Union then moved to bring any wavering players to heel by requiring all candidates for the North Island and South Island teams to sign a document “solemnly and sincerely” declaring they had not previously tarnished their amateur status or had been approached regarding a scheme to send a team from New Zealand to play in the north of England. Players chosen for the inter-island match were confronted by another document. The five clauses required them to “promise and agree” not to enlist for the rumoured tour; nor enter into any such negotiations; nor assist towards the promotion of such a tour; but to advise the Rugby Union of any approaches and give the names of those responsible; and to help the Rugby Union prevent the tour from taking place. One prominent Canterbury player, Duncan McGregor, who still holds the All Black record for most tries (four) in a test, refused to sign, and was barred by the Canterbury Rugby Union. A dozen leading Auckland players signed the documents only after receiving advice they would not be legally liable in the event of the tour’s taking place.

The team eventually sailed from Wellington

aboard the Warrimoo for Sydney with Baskerville as player-manager, Mr H. J. Palmer, a prominent Petone supporter, as comanager, and Smith as vice-captain to H. R. (“Bumper”) Wright. Smith was one of eight All Blacks in the squad. They were dubbed “All Golds” by their detractors because of the tour’s professional connotations, even though the players had been required to pay all their own expenses. It was not until they arrived in Britain that the All Golds first played under Northern Union rules. They learned quickly enough to win the test series and on their way home enjoyed similar success in Australia. Tragically, Baskerville died of pneumonia while the side was in Brisbane. He was only 25.

On their return the All Golds split into two teams for a charity match to assist Baskerville’s widowed mother. It was the first Northern Union fixture in New Zealand and was played at Athletic Park, now the home of the Wellington Rugby Union.