Albert "Abbie" Shadbolt was a New Zealand

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 represented his country

New Zealand national rugby league team

The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...

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Playing career

Shadbolt began his career playing rugby union

Rugby union

Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...

 for the Merivale club alongside fellow future New Zealand rugby league international Bill Mitchell. He represented Canterbury XV in 1909 and 1910.

In 1912 Shadbolt switched codes and was part of the first ever Canterbury rugby league side. Canterbury went down 4-5 to Wellington on 7 September.

In 1913 Shadbolt played for St Albans in the new 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...

 competition and again played for Canterbury. He was selected in the New Zealand side that played against New South Wales

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...

 during the season. He later joined the Federal club.

He again played for Canterbury in 1920. In 1921 Shadbolt toured Australia for New Zealand under coach Jim Rukutai

Jim Rukutai

Puhipi James "Jim" Rukutai was a New Zealand rugby league player and coach who both represented and coached his country. The Auckland Rugby League's minor premiership, the Rukutai Shield, is named after him.-Early years:...

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After retirement Shadbolt served as a referee.