Rugby League Career
He was named foundation captain of the North Sydney rugby league club in 1908. Lutge represented New South Wales that year and in May, like two others of the five inaugural selectors (Hennessy & Dore) Lutge picked himself for the first international matches against New Zealand, drawing some press criticism in the process.
Along with Dally Messenger, Micky Dore, Doug McLean snr and Johnny Rosewell he was one of the inaugural five Australian dual code rugby internationals who debuted in international rugby league in Sydney on 9 May 1908 in the first Australian league Test against New Zealand.
Lutge enjoys the distinction of having played in each of Australia's inaugural rugby league and rugby union Test matches against New Zealand.
He was selected as captain for the 3rd Test in June 1908 and playing at lock led the Australia to their first international rugby league victory after they had lost the earlier two Tests under Arthur Hennessy.
Lutge was selected by the playing squad as tour captain for the nine month inaugural Kangaroo tour of 1908-09, but broke his arm before he had the opportunity to captain Australia against Great Britain
Upon returning to Australia he retired from football but in 1915 he was selected as the North Sydney club's first ever coach pioneering the concept of mid-week night training.
Read more about this topic: Denis Lutge
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