Charles John Bloomfield White

Charlie White was born in Maitland in 1874, and died in that city in October 1941. A speedy winger then playing for the Wallaroos, he made a fine impression for NSW in 1899 against the Mullineux-captained Britain side. NSW narrowly lost the match, 3 to 4. This led to his selection in the Metropolis side, which lost 5 to 8. On 24 June 1899 Australia played its first-ever Test against the tourists, and won 13 to 3. So Charlie was in that historic Test.

Though he played for NSW and Metropolis again, surprisingly winning the latter match 8 to 3, he did not play in any of the remaining three Tests. He had to leave the field after being kicked in the back, and was stretchered off. This could account for his non-selection. The next team to tour Australia was New Zealand, in 1903, held in the modern period to perhaps being the greatest-ever NZ team. White was in the first game against them, for NSW, the locals losing 0-12. He had to mark the great Maori player Opai Asher, who scored a try, and perhaps because of this was not selected for the second NSW game, or the Metropolitan fixture.

In hindsight his efforts were recognised and he was picked for the only Australian team on that tour, captained by Stan Wickham. New Zealand won comfortably by 22 to 3. In 1904 Great Britain was back in Australia, this time captained by David Bedell (‘Darkie’) Sivright. Though not selected for the first NSW game, he was back on the wing for the second encounter. And he was back for the first Test at the SCG. He was unfortunately injured towards the end of the first half trying to fend off his counterpart Willie Llewellyn. He left the field with a broken rib. Though nil-all at this time Australia, playing a man short, went down 0 to 17.This would end his Test career, one cap in 1899, one in 1903 and one in 1904. He would also play 16 matches for NSW from 1894 to 1904, 11 of them being against Queensland. He was a carrier by trade.