Billy Mitchell stats

Career Summary

Billy Mitchell bio

Billy Mitchell’s rugby union career was short but spectacular. He was an All Black at the age of 19 but then switched codes to become one of the foremost international rugby league players of his time.

Born in Melbourne in 1890 (from New Zealand parents) he grew up in Christchurch, playing rugby at the Normal School and then for the Merivale club. He was a successful track and field athlete, track cyclist and rower, and also won trophies for “physical culture” (physical development). In 1908 he played for the Merivale 3rd grade team, but by the next year he had progressed to the Canterbury team as a strong, fast and enterprising centre three quarter. He was selected for the All Blacks in 1910 for the tour to Australia, and played on the wing in both tests in the drawn series, scoring a try in the second.

The next year, Billy travelled to Queensland with a rugby and rowing friend, W. Sergison, and while there was recruited to join the touring New Zealand rugby league team. Thus started a long and illustrious rugby league career, including captaincy of the New Zealand team which toured Australia in 1919. The enthusiasm for league at the time in Australia was such that sellout crowds of up to 45,000 were present at the two matches with New South Wales.

After retiring in 1924, Billy served as a league administrator, coach and selector, and later as a bowls administrator. He had a well-known business as a fruiterer in Papanui. His son Murray was also a multi-talented athlete who played rugby union for Canterbury from 1944 (at the age of 20) to 1947, including serving as captain.

Submitted by Jim Mitchell (Grandson)

Family: Billy Mitchell is the -

There are no known family connections.