Messenger, Dally (1883-1959), was one of the pioneers of Rugby League football in Australia. He played 140 games during his career and scored 998 goals. Messenger was known as “The Master” because of his skill at the game. He excelled as center three quarter.
Herbert Henry Messenger was born on April 12, 1883, in the Sydney suburb of Balmain. He played Rugby Union for Australia against New Zealand in 1907. In one match, he leaped over the heads of opposing players to score a try. He switched from Rugby Union to the newly formed Rugby League and was a member of the original Kangaroo Team that toured England in 1908. In 1911, he scored 270 points in a season. Messenger was the only player to tour with both the Australian and New Zealand national teams, playing seven Tests for Australia and three for New Zealand. He captained Australia in the first two Tests against the United Kingdom. He retired in 1913. Messenger died on Nov. 24, 1959.
