Angus Stuart
Encyclopedia
Angus John Stuart also known as Angus Stewart was a Scottish
-born rugby union
forward who played club rugby for Cardiff
and Dewsbury
. Although never capped at international level in his own country, in 1888 Stuart was chosen to tour New Zealand and Australia
as part of the first British Isles team
. Stuart later settled in New Zealand and played rugby for the All Blacks.
stated that they intended to join English team Dewsbury. Both players stated that the reason for switching clubs was purely financial, as they were out of employment and had made friends with several Dewsbury players when the team toured Wales. It was later discovered that the employment the players found in Dewsbury, was with Newsome, Sons and Spedding, a textiles company partially owned by Mark Newsome, president and former captain of Dewsbury. Although Cardiff later complained that this was backdoor professionalism, no evidence was found to prove that money had been exchanged and no charges were brought.
In 1888, Stuart was approached to join the first British overseas touring rugby team, on a trip to Australia and New Zealand. The tour was organised as a financial venture, and had no backing from any of the Home Nation Unions. Despite this, the tour went ahead, taking in 35 games against invitational and club teams. Stuart is recorded as having played in 23 games, scoring one try
, but being switched from the backs into a forwards role.
At the end of the tour, Stuart decided to remain in New Zealand and settled down there. There he played club rugby for Poneke Rugby Club in Wellington and in 1893 he toured Australia
with the New Zealand national team. Stuart played in seven games of the tour, but none were against international opposition, so again he did not win a sporting cap. Stuart returned to Britain in 1902, and at one point worked in South Wales. He died in Dewsbury in October 1923 at the age of 65.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
-born 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...
forward who played club rugby for Cardiff
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
and Dewsbury
Dewsbury Rams
Dewsbury Rams RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury. They are arguably most famous for becoming Champions in 1972-73 after finishing the regular season in 8th place. In the playoffs they beat Featherstone away, Warrington away, and then Leeds in the...
. Although never capped at international level in his own country, in 1888 Stuart was chosen to tour New Zealand and Australia
1888 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia
The 1888 British Isles tour to New Zealand and Australia was a series of rugby union games played by an unofficial British team against invitational teams in New Zealand and Australia...
as part of the first British Isles team
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
. Stuart later settled in New Zealand and played rugby for the All Blacks.
Rugby career
Stuart first came to note as a rugby player when he joined Cardiff Football Club during their fledgling years in 1883. Stuart played 50 games for Cardiff at threequarters and remained at the club until 1886. In 1886 Stuart and fellow Cardiff player William "Buller" StaddenWilliam Stadden
William James Wood "Buller" Stadden was a Welsh international rugby union half back who played club rugby for Cardiff and Dewsbury. Stadden won eight caps for Wales over a period of seven years and is most remembered for scoring the winning try in 1890 to give Wales their first victory over England...
stated that they intended to join English team Dewsbury. Both players stated that the reason for switching clubs was purely financial, as they were out of employment and had made friends with several Dewsbury players when the team toured Wales. It was later discovered that the employment the players found in Dewsbury, was with Newsome, Sons and Spedding, a textiles company partially owned by Mark Newsome, president and former captain of Dewsbury. Although Cardiff later complained that this was backdoor professionalism, no evidence was found to prove that money had been exchanged and no charges were brought.
In 1888, Stuart was approached to join the first British overseas touring rugby team, on a trip to Australia and New Zealand. The tour was organised as a financial venture, and had no backing from any of the Home Nation Unions. Despite this, the tour went ahead, taking in 35 games against invitational and club teams. Stuart is recorded as having played in 23 games, scoring one try
Try
A try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
, but being switched from the backs into a forwards role.
At the end of the tour, Stuart decided to remain in New Zealand and settled down there. There he played club rugby for Poneke Rugby Club in Wellington and in 1893 he toured Australia
1893 New Zealand rugby union tour of Australia
The 1893 New Zealand tour rugby to Australia was the second tour by the New Zealand national rugby union team to Australia. Ten matches were played against regional and district sides.-Matches:-Touring party:*Manager: G.F.C. Campbell*Captain: T.R. Ellison...
with the New Zealand national team. Stuart played in seven games of the tour, but none were against international opposition, so again he did not win a sporting cap. Stuart returned to Britain in 1902, and at one point worked in South Wales. He died in Dewsbury in October 1923 at the age of 65.