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Overview
This South Island rugby jersey was worn by Alexander (Alex) McDonald (1883-1967) in four matches between 1905 and 1913 (captaining two). These matches were important as they usually doubled as All Black selection trials.
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 iconic ‘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, McDonald 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.