The 'Noble Maori' Arrive

After playing nine matches in New Zealand and two in Melbourne in the southern winter of 1888 (with only two losses), the Natives set off for Britain by steamer. Their efforts to retain their fitness during the six-week voyage by shovelling coal and exercising on deck were thwarted by the complaints of other passengers, but they did take part in the first recorded rugby match in Egypt en route.

After disembarking at Tilbury on 27 September they prepared themselves as best they could for an expected 50 or 60 matches over the northern winter. The 'noble Maori' had arrived 'to play an English game against English players'.

Six days later, wearing black uniforms and after performing a haka, a team which had 'caused much curiosity' efficiently defeated a scratch Surrey fifteen 4�1. But these 'aboriginals' were not as black as they had been painted by their promoter; even the full-blooded Maori members of the team could 'only be said to be badly sunburned'.

The Natives were still seen as Maori, but they played a British game in a 'fair orthodox' style. The savage 'New Zealander' surveying the ruins of London in Thomas Macaulay's famous essay had instead turned out to be a dutiful imperial citizen who attracted little or no attention off the field � except for one occasion when several of the team donned black masks at a railway station as a joke.

'The Surrey team cheering the "Maories" on their appearance'.
Illustrated London News

'Their War Cry before starting play'.
Illustrated London News