The_Tour Albert_Henry_Baskerville

baskerville wrote northern union , asked if host touring party of new zealand rugby players. northern union excited proposal , agreed. after baskerville began work on organising tour full-time, leaving job @ postal department , severing connection oriental football club. wellington rugby union moved attempt stop him attending grounds , received life ban new zealand rugby union. despite managed put impressive touring party included 8 blacks, including 4 1905 tour of great britain. team dubbed golds sydney press, derogatory play on new zealand rugby union team s nickname blacks.

the tour great success both financially, each player earned £300, , on field, touring side won consecutive test series against great britain , australia. of tour baskerville busy administration work , not until final game of british leg, against st helens r.f.c., baskerville played, scoring try. on arriving in australia played in first ever trans-tasman test debut match of australia national rugby league team, again scoring try. tragically time baskerville represent new zealand in test match. baskerville contracted pneumonia on ship taking touring party sydney brisbane and, after several days in hospital, died aged 25 in brisbane, australia on 20 may 1908. body taken manager harry palmer , group of players each province wellington. rest of touring party stayed in australia complete remaining fixtures. 5 other members of touring party baskerville buried @ karori cemetery.