William Wynyard
Encyclopedia
William "Billy" T. Wynyard was a New Zealand
rugby football
er who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain. He was the brother of Richard Wynyard
.
that toured Great Britain. One of these three, Tabby Wynyard went on the represent the All Blacks
. Richard followed his family tradition, becaming a noted rugby
player and a civil servant clerk by trade.
, Wynyard was part of the North Shore Rugby Club. He won Auckland selection later than his brother Richard did, but by 1907 was firmly established in the Auckland side.
Unlike many of the touring party Wynyard opted not to return to a professional contract in Britain and instead stayed in New Zealand to help establish rugby league. He, along with his brother, helped found the North Shore Albions Rugby League Club - which broke away from the North Shore Rugby Club.
was formed on 25 April 1910 Wynyard was elected to the New Zealand Council. He served as a New Zealand selector between 1910 and 1919.
Wynyard later became the President of the New Zealand Rugby League
and was made the organisations first life member.
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...
rugby football
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
er who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain. He was the brother of Richard Wynyard
Richard Wynyard
John Richard "Dick" Wynyard was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain. Richard was the brother of William Wynyard.-Early years:...
.
Early years
From a sporting family that included three uncles that were part of the 1888-1889 New Zealand Native football team1888-1889 New Zealand Native football team
The 1888–1889 New Zealand Native football team was a New Zealand football team that toured Britain, Australia and New Zealand in 1888 and 1889. The team was composed mainly of players of Māori ancestry, although several Pakeha were included in the squad. The tour was a private endeavour, and was...
that toured Great Britain. One of these three, Tabby Wynyard went on the represent the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
. Richard followed his family tradition, becaming a noted rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
player and a civil servant clerk by trade.
Rugby Football career
Living in DevonportDevonport, New Zealand
Devonport is a harbourside suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. It is located on the North Shore, at the southern end of a peninsula that runs southeast from near Lake Pupuke in Takapuna, forming the northern side of the Waitemata Harbour...
, Wynyard was part of the North Shore Rugby Club. He won Auckland selection later than his brother Richard did, but by 1907 was firmly established in the Auckland side.
Rugby League career
Wynyard was selected to be part of the professional All Blacks 1907-08 tour of Australia and Great Britain. He was one of the last two players selected, along with Charlie Dunning, and joined the squad late during the first Australian leg of the tour. Wynyard became a valuable member of the squad, scoring six tries, however injury meant he had to wait until the squad returned to Australia to make his test debut, playing in all three test matches against Australia.Unlike many of the touring party Wynyard opted not to return to a professional contract in Britain and instead stayed in New Zealand to help establish rugby league. He, along with his brother, helped found the North Shore Albions Rugby League Club - which broke away from the North Shore Rugby Club.
Later years
When the New Zealand Rugby LeagueNew Zealand Rugby League
The New Zealand Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. The NZRL was founded on the 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year....
was formed on 25 April 1910 Wynyard was elected to the New Zealand Council. He served as a New Zealand selector between 1910 and 1919.
Wynyard later became the President of the New Zealand Rugby League
New Zealand Rugby League
The New Zealand Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. The NZRL was founded on the 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year....
and was made the organisations first life member.