Conrad Byrne

Conrad "Con" Augustus Byrne was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.

Early years

Originally from Nelson, Byrne was a farmer by trade. Byrne played rugby union for Wellington and was part of the side that won the Ranfurly Shield.

Rugby league career

Byrne was selected for the professional All Blacks in their 1907–1908 tour of Great Britain and Australia. Like all players on the tour he immediately received a life ban from the New Zealand Rugby Union. On the tour's return leg Byrne played in the first ever trans-Tasman test which was the debut match of the Australia national rugby league team. In the second test against Australia Byrne captained the side to a 24–12 victory that clinched the series. Byrne played in three test matches while on the tour.

In 1908 and 1909 Byrne played for Wellington, including in matches against Taranaki. In 1909 Byrne again toured Australia with the New Zealand side, captaining the side in all three test matches.

In 1910 Byrne joined the North Sydney club in the NSWRL Premiership and later moved to Huddersfield for two seasons.

During the 1910–11 Northern Rugby Football Union season Byrne played at second-row forward in Huddersfield's 8-2 loss against Wakefield Trinity in the 1910 Yorkshire Cup final at Headingley Stadium on Saturday 3 December 1910.

By 1913 Byrne had returned to New Zealand and was selected to be part of the tour of Australia, playing in his seventh and final test match.

Legacy

Byrne was named in the Second-row in the Petone Panthers' Team of the Century in 2012.