William Wynyard (rugby league)

William "Billy" Thomas Wynyard (13 September 1882 – 21 August 1932)[2] was a New Zealand rugby football player who was part of the professional rugby league 1907–08 New Zealand rugby tour of Australia and Great Britain.

Not to be confused with Tabby Wynyard.

Billy Wynyard

Personal information
Full name	William Thomas Wynyard
Born	(1882-09-13)13 September 1882 Auckland, New Zealand
Died	21 August 1932(1932-08-21) (aged 49) Auckland, New Zealand
Playing information
Rugby union
Position	Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P Auckland
Rugby league
Position	Wing, Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1909–13 North Shore 4 0 0 12 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1907–08 New Zealand 3 0 0 0 0 1908–10 Auckland 5 1 0 0 3
Source: [1]

Background

He was the brother of Richard Wynyard.[1] He was born and died in Auckland.

Early years

Wynyard was from a sporting family that included three uncles that were part of the 1888–89 New Zealand Native football team that conducted a rugby union tour of Great Britain. One of these three, Tabby Wynyard, went on to represent New Zealand on their 1893 tour of Australia. Richard followed the family tradition, becoming a noted rugby player and a civil servant clerk by trade.[3]

Rugby football career

Living in Devonport, Wynyard was part of the North Shore Rugby Club. He went in the 10th New Zealand contingent to the Boer War, and played rugby there.

He won Auckland selection later than his brother Richard did, but by 1907 was firmly established in the Auckland side.[3]

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 the first ever trans-Tasman test which was the debut match of the Australia national rugby league team. He played 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 League 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.[4] He was also an active member of the North Shore Rowing Club and was a founder of the Devonport Orphans' Club. For 34 years he was connected with the firm of P/ Hayman and Sons, Ltd[5].

Wynyard later became the President of the New Zealand Rugby League and was made the organisations first life member.[6]

He died at his home at 22 May Street, Devonport, Auckland leaving behind a wife, 4 daughters and 2 sons[7]. [8] [9]

References

1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
2. The New Zealand Rugby Register 1870-2015 (2016) by The New Zealand Rugby Museum, Palmerston North ISBN 978-0-473-36572-1
3. John Haynes From All Blacks to All Golds: Rugby League's Pioneers, Christchurch, Ryan and Haynes, 1996. ISBN 0-473-03864-1
4. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p.24.
5. "Mr W. T. Wynyard". Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 198. 22 August 1932. p. 5. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
6. Coffey and Wood The Kiwis: 100 Years of International Rugby League ISBN 1-86971-090-8
7. "Mr W. T. Wynyard". Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 198. 22 August 1932. p. 5. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
8. "Death (with photo)". Auckland Star in Papers Past. 22 August 1932.
9. "Obituaries". New Zealand Herald in Papers Past. 23 August 1932.