Herbert Henry Messenger
Herbert Henry "Dally" Messenger (12 April 1883 – 24 November 1959) was one of Australasia's first professional rugby footballers, recognised as one of the greatest ever players in either code. Messenger, or 'The Master' as he was dubbed, represented his country in two rugby union tests and seven rugby league tests. He played for New South Wales in the very first rugby match run by the newly-created 'New South Wales Rugby Football League' which had just split away from the established New South Wales Rugby Football Union.
Messenger had a stocky build, and while standing only about 172 cm (5 ft 7') in height, he was a powerful runner of the ball and solid defender. According to his peers the centre's greatest attributes were his unpredictability and astonishing physical co-ordination, coupled with a freakish ability to kick goals from almost any part of the ground. He was a teetotaller and non-smoker during his career and other than breakfast, Messenger would rarely eat before a match.
Read more about Herbert Henry Messenger: Early Life, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Life After Football, Accolades
Famous quotes containing the words herbert and/or messenger:
“I, who had heard of music in the spheres,
But not of speech in stars, began to muse:
But turning to my God, whose ministers
The stars and all things are; If I refuse,
Dread Lord, said I, so oft my good;
Then I refuse not ev’n with blood
To wash away my stubborn thought:
For I will do or suffer what I ought.”
—George Herbert (1593–1633)
“Light-winged Smoke, Icarian bird,
Melting thy pinions in thy upward flight,
Lark without song, and messenger of dawn,
Circling above the hamlets as thy nest;”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)