1909 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia
The 1909 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team. The New Zealand national rugby league team lost to Australia 1-2 in the three match test series. Background. Following the pioneering 1907-08 All Golds tour, rugby league was developing in both New Zealand and Australia. A successful 1908 New Zealand Māori rugby league tour of Australia had taken place and helped the NSWRFL establish itself in Sydney. This tour, the second by a New Zealand national side, took place during  the 1909 NSWRFL season. Squad. The team was managed by Daniel Fraser while James Barber captained the side. Albert Asher was invited to tour with the side but declined, opting to remain in Auckland and organise the upcoming Māori tour of Australia. Charlie Pearce and Daniel Gilchrist were also named but withdrew. The full squad was; Fixtures. Henry Knight and Billy Cann were sent off by referee Charles Hutchinson in the second half after an altercation. The two shook hands as they left the field. It was the last test between Australia and New Zealand on Australian soil until 1948  The Australians were awarded the "Black and White Challenge Cup" for winning the series and the New Zealanders left Australia on the steamer "Ulimaroa" the same day.