Arthur Hennesey

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Arthur "Ash" Hennesey (born 24 September 1876) was the first captain of the Australian national rugby league team. He began his first grade career playing rugby union for Souths in 1901. Hennesey represented New South Wales in 1901, 1902 and 1904, and in 1907 was made Souths' captain.

When the New Zealand All Golds toured in 1907, Hennesey joined rugby league and was selected as the first New South Wales captain. In October of that year Hennesey chaired a meeting of rugby union identities with a view to creating a South Sydney rugby league club. This club was formed on 17 January 1908 and Hennesey was the inaugural captain-coach.

In 1908 he played two Tests against New Zealand as captain, both of which Australia lost.

[edit] Playing Records

• Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs (1908-11) 26 games, 7 tries, 1 goal
• Representative: Australia (1908), New South Wales (1908)

[edit] Sources

Whiticker, Alan (2004) Captaining the Kangaroos, New Holland, Sydney