William Alexander Wright (15 December 1905 – 19 September 1971) was a New Zealand

rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...

player who represented the

All Blacks The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks ( mi, Ōpango), represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. The team won the Rugby World Cup in 1987 ...

in 1926. His position of choice was halfback. Wright was educated at Sacred Heart College, where he was a member of the 1st XV between 1922 and 1923.

Career

Wright had played just one first-class game before making his only All Black match. After the 1926 All Blacks had returned from their tour of New South Wales, the returning party would play a match against the

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The List of New Zealand urban areas by population, most populous urban area in the country and the List of cities in Oceania by po ...

provincial side. Wright was named as a reserve for Auckland until an injury to All Black

Bill Dalley William Charles Dalley (18 November 1901 – 9 February 1989) was a New Zealand rugby union player. Starting out as a utility back, Dalley made his debut at a provincial level for in 1921. He became a specialist halfback in 1924, and was qui ...

just before halftime. With no other fit players to use at the halfback position, Wright changed strips and played the second-half of the match for the All Blacks. The match was won by the All Blacks 11-6. He played 6 matches for Auckland, however two of these were for Auckland B.

Family

Wright was the son of William Wright and Kate Keating.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, Bill New Zealand rugby union players New Zealand international rugby union players 1905 births 1971 deaths People educated at Sacred Heart College, Auckland Rugby union players from Auckland Rugby union halfbacks