Rugby : NZRU pays tribute to the man “who gave New Zealand rugby” – Charles John Monro

The New Zealand Rugby Union has today paid tribute to the man who brought rugby to New Zealand, Charles John Monro, as it hosted a launch of the first definitive biography published on his life.

“Monro – the Life and Times of the Man Who Gave New Zealand Rugby,” by Clive Akers, was yesterday launched in Palmerston North, Monro’s home town for 46 years, and was today launched at the NZRU offices in Wellington at a function attended by some of Monro’s descendants, Akers and NZRU President Andy Leslie who contributed the foreword to the book. Akers spent three years researching the book with the majority of content being provided by Monro descendants on family history dating as far back as the 1830s. Countless hours were spent deciphering old letters and pocket diaries.
Monro was recognised as the man who brought the game of rugby to New Zealand having observed and played the game while studying at Christ’s College, Finchley, in London. On his return to New Zealand he organised the first game of rugby in May 1870 between the Nelson Football Club and Nelson College and later organised the first inter-district game of rugby when a group from Nelson Football Club played a Wellington selection at Petone in September that year. In his foreword, Andy Leslie said “this book gives us an appreciation of the introduction of rugby to New Zealand and the pioneers in Nelson who first trialled and approved of the rules Charles Monro advocated.”

A lifelong stalwart of the Petone Rugby Club, Leslie particularly identified with Monro’s efforts to stage the first inter-district game which was played at Petone. Leslie wrote: “Having travelled the 15 kilometres from Petone into Wellington city countless times during my life, I am aware only a person on a very determined mission would walk the distance both ways in one day. In 1870 Monro, having failed to find any suitable field for rugby in Wellington, could have chosen to cancel the proposed clash between representatives of Nelson and Wellington. “That he should make the long and lonely walk out to the Hutt in search of a paddock indicates his belief that the rugby game was the best form of football. The historic game played at Petone was the forerunner of inter-provincial rugby. He selected and coached the Wellington novices, played for the more knowledgeable Nelson team, and refereed the game!” Leslie said he believed the book would add to the texture and depth of New Zealand’s rugby history. "I'm certain this biography of Charles Monro will provide a greater understanding of the origins of rugby in New Zealand and an insight into the interesting life of a pioneer sportsman," Leslie said.