Herb Lilburne


Herbert Theodore Lilburne was a New Zealand dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s, and coached rugby union in the 1940s. He played representative level rugby union for New Zealand, South Island, North Island, Canterbury and Wellington, and at club level for Marist Albion RFC, as a Fullback, Centre, or Fly-half, i.e. number 15, or, 13 or 12, or 10, and representative level rugby league, for New Zealand and Wellington as a er, i.e. number 2 or 5, and having been reinstated from rugby league in the World War II amnesty, coached club level rugby union for Zingari-Richmond Rugby Club. Following the injuries to the New Zealand captain Cliff Porter, and vice-captain Bill Dalley, Herb Lilburne was appointed captain for the first test of New Zealand's 1929 tour of Australia, at 21-years and 112-days he is the youngest New Zealand test captain to date, he died in Dunedin

Background

Lilburne was born in Burnham, New Zealand.

International honours

Herb Lilburne won caps for New Zealand in 1928 against South Africa, in 1929 against Australia, in 1930 against British Lions, and 1931 against Australia, in 1932 against Australia, and in 1934 against Australia, and won a cap for New Zealand in the 8–29 defeat by Australia at Carlaw Park on 2 October 1935.