LATE “BOB” WHITESIDE.

Grey River Argus, 18 June 1927, Page 1 (Supplement)

LATE “BOB” WHITESIDE.

OLD TIME RUGBY HERO. WONDERFUL PLAYING RECORD. REMINISCENCES FROM THE PAST. the late “B6b” Whiteside was born at Napier, Hawke’s Bay, in 1860, he left the Hawke’s Bay centre when two years of age and learned the Rugby game in Auckland It is appropriate time to refer to the great Rugby player of other years as an appeal has been launched for funds for his widow, who has been left in poor circumstances.

A a boy, “Bob” Whiteside went to the St Paul’s School in Auckland. Football was not much played in the "sixties, and it was as a lad of sixteen that he played his first game on the site of the old Albert Barracks. Although he had never seen a game before, ho quickly learned the rough and ready rules under which the game was played. His first club was one called the Union Jack, captained by H. Cooke, who later played for Ponsonby The following year Whiteside, with Borne of the other young players, started a club called Victoria. There were few juniors clubs, and the games played were usually scratch matches. It was in 1879, then a youth of 19, that Whiteside obtained a chance to distinguish himself. He was a splendid drop-kick and punt, and could collar well, and he was asked to join the ranks of Ponsonby. Thence on White side remained loyal to Ponsonby, and ms name became a household word. DEBUT AS FULL BACK. Whiteside made his debut as ful buck

for Ponsonby, and played in that position for same t’me It was quite by ■ . ■ ■ .1, i r nd oui dangerous scoring back he was. Against North Shore lie obtained hifirst try. running right through the marine team. I- i "in 11::it time Whiti ide pin .id . -1 I ■' ll ■’!' b.-u-l- i v. - b, fore the inys of fivi -eights —or the three-quarter line, although it was in the latter position that he made a great name.

Whiteside made his first appearance as nil Auckland representative in 18S2 when Auckland met New South Wales on two occasions, winning both matches. In the second match he did great work, scoring two tries, and by his fine allround play contributing largeAuckland made a tour of the south, when three matches were played one being won and the other two drawn. Tn thq match against. Canterbury, Whiteside obtained the ’single Itry that wen the 1 game with a run that teas truly devastating. Auckland did not "lay any more inter-provincial watches until 1886, although in the interval several matches were played against Tauranga, which at that period could field a very strong team. In 1886 Wellington visited Auckland, and Whiteside was the chief factor in recording a victory for the home side. The scores were Auckland two tries, Wellington one. Whiteside obtained one of the tries, and was the means of the other one being secured. The same year a New South Wales team toured New Zealand, and three matches were played -with Auckland, each being a win for the local men Whiteside scored in each match. In (he following year he played against Otago and Canterbury.

ENGLISH TEAM’S VISIT. The year 1888 was an historic one for Rugby, as that year the first English team came to New Zealand, and Whiteside, then at the height of his powers, was chosen to captain Auckland. Early in the- game Wniteside was Injured, and had to Rave the field. Nearly all Whiteside’s football was played under Auckland reps, or Ponsonby clubs colours. In the 1886 season he played three games for the Poneke Club in. Wellington, and towards the end of his playing career, when on a visit to Sydney, he played a few games there.

Although best known as a fotballer. Whiteside was a splendid, all-round athlete. He was a crack quarter-mile runner, and also a first-class hurdler. Competing on one occasion at an Eight Hours' demonstration sports he ,won several events, including the 150 yards event, hurdles and obstacle race He was also a gooci cricketer of an Auckland club known as Old Bays. A good batsman with a safe defence, he was also a useful change bowler. As a gvmnast he was one of the best men of his day. OVER A HUNDRED TRIES.

“Bob" Whiteside was just on six feet in height, and in his prime as an athlete weighed 12st 21b. He was described on the football field as a fast and strong fender, difficult to hold unless taken low, a good kick, and strong defensive player. When the English team of 1888 arrived in Auckland, Beddon, the English captain, greeted Whiteside with the remark: “We heard of you immediately we landed in New Zealand, and we were told to keep a lookout for you.” Whiteside’s playing record as * Rugby footballer—matches were much fewer and further between those days compared with modern football is as follows:—

1881, four tries: 1882, seven tries, 1883 22 tries; 1885; 14 tries and two goals; 1886, five tries and one goal; 18S7, 44 tries and one goal; 1888 (the season he was injured) four tries. Thus in a short playing period he scored over a hundred tries in Auckland. In his day “Bob” Whiteside was New Zealand’s greatest athlete, an in the words of Antony, “the noblest Roman of them all.”