David McPhail (rugby league)
Encyclopedia
David McPhail was a New Zealand
rugby league
player who played professionally for St Helens and Wigan
.
. Both players signed for the Wigan club
and McPhail played his first match for Wigan in the A team against Widnes
on 27 November 1909.
He was unable to break into the first team at Wigan and on 2 September 1910 he was transferred to St Helens, joining fellow New Zealanders Arthur Kelly
and Herbert Turtill. McPhail made his debut for St Helens against Oldham on 3 September 1910 however he made just ten appearances for the club and left at the end of the season.
McPhail returned to New Zealand and became active in growing rugby league in his home country. On 13 July 1912 McPhail was present at a meeting that founded the Canterbury Rugby League
and he was part of the very first Canterbury side when it played Wellington at the Show Grounds
on 7 September 1912, losing 4-5. The next week they lost 5-28 to the touring New South Wales side
before recording their first win, against Hawkes Bay in Napier, 10-8.
McPhail was involved in the foundation of the Sydenham club on 7 February 2013 and became the club captain. That year, Sydenham won the Canterbury Rugby League
's inaugural competition over twelve rounds.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player who played professionally for St Helens and Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
.
Playing career
McPhail arrived in England aboard the S.S. Arawa, on 15 November 1909, together with Lance ToddLance Todd
Lancelot Beaumont "Lance" Todd was a New Zealand-born rugby league footballer and manager of the early 20th century. As a player he represented his country in 1907 and 1908 and played in England for the Wigan and Dewsbury clubs...
. Both players signed for the Wigan club
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
and McPhail played his first match for Wigan in the A team against Widnes
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
on 27 November 1909.
He was unable to break into the first team at Wigan and on 2 September 1910 he was transferred to St Helens, joining fellow New Zealanders Arthur Kelly
Arthur Kelly (rugby league)
Arthur Frederick Kelly was a rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.-Rugby Football:...
and Herbert Turtill. McPhail made his debut for St Helens against Oldham on 3 September 1910 however he made just ten appearances for the club and left at the end of the season.
McPhail returned to New Zealand and became active in growing rugby league in his home country. On 13 July 1912 McPhail was present at a meeting that founded the Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand...
and he was part of the very first Canterbury side when it played Wellington at the Show Grounds
Rugby League Park
Rugby League Park is a rugby league stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. Formerly called the Addington Showgrounds, the ground is owned by the Canterbury Rugby League.-History:...
on 7 September 1912, losing 4-5. The next week they lost 5-28 to the touring New South Wales side
New South Wales rugby league team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
before recording their first win, against Hawkes Bay in Napier, 10-8.
McPhail was involved in the foundation of the Sydenham club on 7 February 2013 and became the club captain. That year, Sydenham won the Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand...
's inaugural competition over twelve rounds.