An Introduction to New Zealand Rugby League

\nNew Zealand Rugby League shirt is a quality vintage shirt produced by Ellis Rugby. Albert Henry Baskerville�from Wellington, New Zealand�had the�idea for a professional rugby tour to the UK.�Baskerville�recruited a significant number of international All Black players from the 1905's tour. One of these players�George Smith�who as�well as playing for the All Blacks, was a�sportsman who also excelled at track and field. \n \nIn 1907, the team left New Zealand and played New South Wales in Sydney, Australia their first match in Sydney. The game�became a huge success and the Australians took to Rugby League quickly. They formed their own organisation -�New South Wales�Rugby League.�The tourists�also managed to recruit Australian star player Dally Messenger for the tour of Wales and England. \n \nThe party had a stop-over in Ceylon and landed in England on 30th September 1907. They played a total of 35 matches in�England and Wales. Including three Tests against England and a Test match against Wales. They then flew on to Australia and�played a further ten games, including three Test matches against Australia. The tour established the game of rugby league in both Australia and New Zealand. \n

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\nOn the 13th June 1908, the first game of rugby league played on New Zealand soil. The League played as a benefit match for Baskerville's�widowed mother. A crowd of nearly 7,000 saw a drawn exhibition game in Wellington. \n \nDespite a few difficulties with the New Zealand Rugby Union, Rugby League game began to take root in the country.�Auckland,�Taranaki,�Rotorua,�Nelson,�Southland,�Wanganui,�Marlborough,�Invercargill,�Hawke's Bay, and South Auckland had�all formed clubs by 1910. \n \nThe Rugby League headquarters formed a year before and�Auckland Rugby League became the first to start a regular�competition. The Auckland League had a full season in 1912, with its headquarters at Eden Park. That same year saw the�formation of Wellington's local rugby league Tournament also. \n \nAlso in�1910 Great Britain Rugby League Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand�saw the Kiwis' first ever test on home soil,�with the Lions side proving too strong. A year later the New Zealand team toured Australia. \n

About Matches

\n1920 became a highlight for the Kiwis with two matches against the touring British Lions rugby league. Lions�team drew 40,000 fans each in Auckland stadium. \n \nIt was in 1938, for a tour of Australia, the New Zealand team officially adopted the name the�"New Zealand Kiwis".�They also changed their jerseys from a plain black top to wear a white "V" on their jerseys. \n \nII the late 40s, early 50s the New Zealand League Kiwis developed arguably one of their best ever teams. The�remained unbeaten in any test series from 1948 to 1951 and won six of their nine test matches. \n \nIn the inaugural�1957 Rugby League World Cup�- New Zealand competed alongside Australia and France. The competed despite�defeating the hosts France failed to make the final. \n \nDuring the 1961-63 era, New Zealand won seven out of ten test matches, including a 2-0 series win over Great Britain in 1962, then considered the top rugby�league nation in the world. \n \nThe most outstanding performance was their record-breaking 19-0 win over Britain at Carlaw Park. It was only the second time a British team had been held�scoreless. \n \nInspired by the former great New Zealand Rugby League teams. \n

Rugby League Cares

\nWith every sale,�Rugby League Cares�receives a donation as a charity. The donation helps players transition out of sports. Also, it supports players past and present who are�enduring poor health or hardship. \n \nManufactured by Ellis Rugby from satin touch 100% cotton, the Shirt features detailed embroidery on the crest. Other features include�herringbone finish on the vents and velvet tape on the neck opening. \n \nAs well as the Vintage New Zealand Rugby League Shirt, we also off a Vintage New Zealand Rugby League�Polo Shirt�and a Vintage NZ Rugby League�T-Shirt. \n \nThe available sizes are S to 5XL. \n \n \n \n \n