Maurice Brownlie

Maurice Joseph Brownlie (10 August 1897 – 21 January 1957) was an international New Zealand rugby union player. A loose forward, Brownlie represented Hawke's Bay at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, from 1922 until 1928. He played 61 matches for New Zealand—a record for All Black appearances that stood until surpassed by Kevin Skinner in 1956–and scored 21 tries. These matches included eight Tests. He captained the All Blacks on 19 occasions, including for the 1928 tour of South Africa.[1]

Maurice Brownlee passport application (1924)

Maurice Brownlie

Brownlie in 1924
Birth name	Maurice John Brownlie
Date of birth	10 August 1897
Place of birth	Wanganui, New Zealand
Date of death	21 January 1957 (aged 59)
Place of death	Gisborne, New Zealand
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	90 kg (200 lb)
School	St Patrick's College, Wellington
Notable relative(s)	Cyril Brownlie (brother) Laurie Brownlie (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loose forward All Black No. 261 Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Hastings () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1921–30 Hawke's Bay () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1922–28 New Zealand 8 (6)

Brownlie was a member of The Invincibles during their European tour of 1924–25. On that tour, his brother Cyril became the first man to be sent off in a Test match.[1] Their older brother Laurie also made an appearance for the All Blacks, in 1921.[2] All three brothers represented Hawke's Bay and played as loose forwards.[1][2][3]

Brownlie gave service during both world wars. From 1915 to 1919 he served in the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, including two and a half years in the Middle East, and reached the rank of corporal. During the Second World War he served in No. 4 Squadron, Independent Mounted Rifles, part of the Home Guard, from 1940.[4]

Brownlie died in Gisborne on 21 January 1957,[1] and was buried at Taruheru Cemetery.[5] He has been inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame twice: as a member of The Invincibles, and in his own right.[6][7]

References

1. Knight, Lindsay. "Maurice Brownlie". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
2. Knight, Lindsay. "Laurie Brownlie". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
3. Knight, Lindsay. "Cyril Brownlie". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
4. "Brownlee, Maurice Joseph - WWI 30422, WWII 551277 - Army". Archives New Zealand. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
5. "Cemetery search". Gisborne District Council. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
6. "Inductees – All Blacks, 1924". New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
7. "Inductees – Maurice Brownlie (1897–1857)". New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 21 January 2016.

Further reading

• Quinn, Keith (15 August 2014). "A Rugby Memory; of Maurice Brownlie - with a modern update". keithquinnrugby.com. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
• McLintock, A. H., ed. (22 April 2009) [originally published in 1966]. "Brownlie, Maurice Joseph". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 3 February 2017.