JAMES RUSSELL PAGE

REPRESENTED NEW ZEALAND: 1931, 32, 34, 35 (18 matches, 6 Internationals)
Points for New Zealand: 9. 3 tries
Position: FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH AND CENTRE THREE-QUARTER
Born: Dunedin 10 May. 1908
Died: Auckland 22 May. 1985
Provincial Record: Wellington 1930-34 (Wellington)
North Island 1933
NZ Trials 1934. 35

Nicknamed Rusty. Educated at Southland Boys High School. 1st XV 1923-26. Attended the Royal Military College (Sandhurst) 1927- 30. Played for the London Scottish club and acted as a reserve for the Scottish international team. He returned to New Zealand 1930 and in the next year was called into the New Zealand team to play Australia at Auckland when Charlie Oliver withdrew. Normally a first five- eighth he appeared at centre in his maiden international. Returned to his preferred position for the three Tests in Australia 1932 (playing outside his Wellington team-mate and All-Black captain Frank Kilby) and two Tests on the 1934 tour. A severe knee injury against Midland Counties in the second game of the 1935-36 British tour restricted him to only one further appearance where he aggravated his injury and ended his Rugby career. The team’s vice-captain, Charlie Oliver, commented; ‘I am convinced that had Page not suffered injury we would have been a far stronger attacking team closer to the scrum. He was sadly missed as no other first five-eighth in the side was so quick off the mark and his equal at finding openings.’ His Statistics were given as 5’7” and 11st 2lb. Served as Wellington club president 1963-67, Wellington RFU executive 1947-49 and NZRFU executive 1953-54. In a distinguished military career ‘Rusty’ Page was a Lieutenant Colonel at the age of 33, commanding officer of the 2nd NZEF 26th Battalion, won the DSO 1942 and retired from the NZ Army with the rank of brigadier 1963. Honoured with the CBE 1954. President WRFU 1967. Club President 1964-66.

<back>