Rugby jersey, 1905 Originals, All Blacks

This rugby jersey was worn by Alexander (Alex) McDonald during the All Black's international tour of 1905-06. The team was known as 'The Originals'. They travelled to Britain, France, and the United States, winning 34 of their 35 games.

Alexander McDonald (1883-1967) was a New Zealand rugby union player. A loose forward, McDonald played for Kaikorai Rugby Football Club in Dunedin, and represented Otago at a provincial level. He first represented New Zealand as an All Black in 1905 as one of ‘The Originals’. Between 1905 and 1913, he played 41 matches for the All Blacks - 14 as captain - including eight internationals. He captained the 1913 Californian tour. His last game for Otago was in 1919. After he retired from playing, he went on to coach both the Otago and Wellington provincial teams, and became a selector for the North and South Island teams, and for the All Blacks from 1929-32 and again from 1944 to 1948. He co-managed the All Blacks on their 1938 tour of Australia, and was assistant manager for the 1949 South African tour. He was a life member of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.

This rugby jersey is one of about 50 which were made in New Zealand for players to wear on tour. It has since become an iconic All Black jersey.

The Originals were New Zealand’s first fully representative rugby team to tour the northern hemisphere. They toured the British Isles, France and the United States during 1905-06. They won 34 of their 35 matches, and were responsible for popularising the All Blacks’ nickname - based on their black uniforms - and the haka. The team won 31 of their 32 games in the United Kingdom - the exception was a highly controversial loss of 3-0 to Wales. On their way home, they also played France and British Columbia twice, again triumphing.