Peter Murray was a hooker in the old 2-3-2 scrum formation who after being chosen as an 18-year old not long out of Wanganui Collegiate represented Wanganui between the 1901 and 1909 seasons.

Among his matches for Wanganui was a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland in 1907 which was lost by only 6-5. He was also in the combined Taranaki-Wanganui side which in 1905 was narrowly beaten by the touring Australian side and in 1908 played for Wanganui against the Anglo-Welsh tourists.

He was quickly recognized at national levels as an energetic player of potential and made the first of two North Island appearances in 1904.

He next appeared for the North Island in 1908 and was given his chance at national level when he was included in the All Blacks for the second test against the Anglo Welsh at Athletic Park.

There was a touch of bravado bordering on arrogance about this selection. For even though there had been a 32-3 win in the first test at Carisbrook the All Black selectors made wholesale changes, expecting an easy win.

But the experimental All Black selection, of which Murray was part, could only draw with the supposedly weak tourists. So for the third test, which was won 29-0, many of the more experienced players were recalled and Murray was among those dropped. He never played for the All Blacks again so has the rare boast of being an All Black who was never in a winning or losing team.

Profile by Lindsay Knight
for the New Zealand Rugby Museum.

ALL BLACK GAMES THAT MURRAY PLAYED

(+) = substitute; (-) = replaced

1908

TEST RECORD BY NATION