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George Burgess (rugby union)

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George Burgess
Birth nameGeorge Francis Burgess
Date of birth(1883-09-20)20 September 1883
Place of birthInvercargill, New Zealand
Date of death2 July 1961(1961-07-02) (aged 77)
Place of deathAuckland, New Zealand
Occupation(s)Bricklayer
Rugby union career
Position(s) Halfback
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1902–07 Pirates ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1902–07 Southland 27 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1905 New Zealand 1 (0)

George "Jerry" Francis Burgess (20 September 1883 – 2 May 1961)[1] was a New Zealand rugby union player who represented the All Blacks in 1905. His position of choice was halfback.

He was born in Invercargill in 1883[1][2][3] although he was also said to have been born in October 1876.[4]

He died in Auckland in 1961, and was buried at Waikumete Cemetery.[4][5]

Career

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Burgess was commonly referred to as Jerry.[1][2][3]

He originally played as a five-eighth.[2][3]

Burgess joined the Pirates club in Invercargill and soon made his way into the Southland provincial side. He played 27 games for the union from 1902 until 1907.[3]

On the playing field Burgess was described as a "quick-passing halfback who gave good service to his backs. A reliable player who was adept at making openings".[2]

A referee also stated that Burgess was a "persistent squealer".[3]

His only match for the All Blacks was lucky to be recognised as an international. It was against Australia at Tahuna Park in Dunedin in 1905.[2][3] He was further helped with selection thanks to the famous Original's tour, meaning the top 27 players in the country had left for the northern hemisphere. Even if it was a slightly weaker side, the match was fortunately won 14–3.

He continued playing rugby for the next two seasons afterwards.

Family and personal

[edit]

His father was also named George. His mother's name was Elizabeth.[4]

Burgess became a bricklayer.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "the 1,109 rugby ALL BLACKS since 1884 - ABBOTT to FURLONG :: FamilyTreeCircles.com Genealogy". www.familytreecircles.com. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e Chester, Rod; McMillan, Neville; Palenski, Ron (1987). The Encyclopedia of New Zealand Rugby. Auckland, New Zealand: Moa Publications. p. 34. ISBN 0-908570-16-3.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Stats | allblacks.com". stats.allblacks.com. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d "PECK of Taita - Family Tree". ngairedith.tribalpages.com. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  5. ^ "Cemetery Search Details". waitakere.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.