William Trevarthen

William "Bill" MacVay Trevarthen^[1] was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain. A relative of his, Thomas Trevarthan, later played for New Zealand in the 1930s.^[2]

Early years

Trevarthen worked as a strapping clerk.^[3] He originally played rugby union for Ohinemuri in 1900 before moving to Auckland and joining the Newton club. Trevarthen won Auckland selection between 1904 and 1907.

Rugby league career

In 1907 Trevarthen was selected to be a part of the professional All Blacks tour of Australia and Great Britain. Like all players this meant that Trevarthen received a life ban from the New Zealand Rugby Union. Trevarthen played played in the first ever trans-Tasman test which was the debut match of the Australia national rugby league team. He had played in all six tests on the tour against Great Britain and Australia and scored one try.

Trevarthen was later part of the 1909 side that toured Australia. Overall, he played in nine tests for New Zealand between 1907 and 1909.

Trevarthen then accepted a contract to go join Huddersfield alongside New Zealanders Edgar Wrigley and Conrad Byrne.

References