Ranji Wilson
Encyclopedia
Nathaniel Arthur "Ranji" Wilson (18 May 1886 – 11 August 1953) was an early All Black, rugby football player for New Zealand
. He was born in Christchurch
of English/West Indian parentage, his father being West Indian.
Wilson was chosen for the All Blacks for matches against the touring Anglo-Welsh in 1908, versus Australia in 1910, 1913 and again in 1914.
In an unusual case, he was charged with assault in 1910 for actions during match, but was found not guilty.
During the First World War
, he was one of the stars of the New Zealand Services team which won the Kings Cup against other Dominion countries in 1918-19, and would have toured South Africa
with the New Zealand Army team in 1919 had he not been classed as "coloured".
Wilson was later one of the team of seven selectors who picked the 1924-5 "Invincibles"
team that toured Great Britain, France and Canada undefeated.
He died on 11 August 1953 in Lower Hutt
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. He was born in Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
of English/West Indian parentage, his father being West Indian.
Wilson was chosen for the All Blacks for matches against the touring Anglo-Welsh in 1908, versus Australia in 1910, 1913 and again in 1914.
In an unusual case, he was charged with assault in 1910 for actions during match, but was found not guilty.
During the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he was one of the stars of the New Zealand Services team which won the Kings Cup against other Dominion countries in 1918-19, and would have toured South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
with the New Zealand Army team in 1919 had he not been classed as "coloured".
Wilson was later one of the team of seven selectors who picked the 1924-5 "Invincibles"
The Invincibles (rugby union)
The Invincibles was a nickname given to the 1924-25 New Zealand rugby union team which toured the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Canada. The team was captained by Cliff Porter, and numbered among its top players George Nepia and brothers Cyril and Maurice Brownlie.Between September 1924 and...
team that toured Great Britain, France and Canada undefeated.
He died on 11 August 1953 in Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt is a city in the Wellington region of New Zealand. Its council has adopted the name Hutt City Council, but neither the New Zealand Geographic Board nor the Local Government Act recognise the name Hutt City. This alternative name can lead to confusion, as there are two cities in the...
.