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:''Not to be confused with the 1908–09 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain'' The 1908–09 Australia rugby union tour of the British Isles was a collection of friendly rugby union games undertaken by the Australia national rugby union team against invitational and national teams from England and Wales, as well as several games against sides from North America. This was the first Australian tour of the Northern Hemisphere and the side is sometimes referred to as the "First Wallabies". Both the New Zealand and South African teams had toured Europe in 1905 and 1906 respectively, both achieving unexpected but deserved success against club and international opposition. Despite the success of these two touring teams, Australia suffered poor press〔Thomas (1954), p. 52.〕 and with only a single win after the teams' first twelve international matches in its history to that point,〔Griffiths (1987), 8:3–4.〕 few people suggested the team would do well.〔 Against low expectations the Australians played well, winning 25 of 31 matches played on the tour and with some commentators writing that the team would have achieved better results if they had not picked up so many injuries.〔〔Griffiths (1987), 8:4.〕 Australia took in two recognised international games, against Wales and England, but failed to play any games in Scotland or Ireland due to the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Scottish Rugby Union resenting the International Rugby Board's attitude regarding the Australian invitation.〔 ==The squad's leadership== Tour manager, who performed the role of coach was New South Wales state selector James McMahon, a veteran of the early NSWRU representative fixtures of 1889 and 1894 against New Zealand. He was assisted by Stan Wickham who had captained the Wallabies on 10 occasions between 1904 and 1905. Tour captain was Dr. Herbert 'Paddy' Moran. The team was also captained in matches during the tour by Chris McKivat and by Fred Wood, the tour vice-captain. They played in blue shirts, emblazoned with the Waratah. Players were paid 3 shillings a day in expenses.〔Zavos p. 90.〕 Moran writes in ''Viewless Winds'' that when the touring squad first arrived at Plymouth a pack of journalists were there who were anxious to give the team some distinctive name. The "Rabbits" was instantaneously rejected and soon after the team adopted the moniker of "The Wallabies" which for many years was used to describe the Australia national rugby union team when touring to Britain. These days the national side are the Wallabies whether playing at home or anywhere abroad.〔Moran, Herbert (1939) ''Viewless Winds'' reproduced in ''The Spirit of Rugby'' p. 179.〕 Moran also describes as "an affliction" the war-cry which the parent Union in Australia had suggested the team should use for its "box-office value". Moran wrote: Echoing the feelings of the Australian team towards the war-cry, there was little respect shown from their opponents towards it either. In the encounter with Cardiff at the Cardiff Arms Park, Percy Bush responded to the cry by charging onto the pitch brandishing a sword and shield, in what was intended to be an amusing riposte.〔Thomas (1954), p. 58.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「1908–09 Australia rugby union tour of Britain」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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