Born: March 16, 1908 – Burnham
Died: June 12, 1976 – Dunedin
Test record: 1 Test (1935) – 0 points

Revered All Black utility back Herb Lilburne switched codes and played one Test for New Zealand in 1935.

Lilburne played 10 rugby union Tests among 40 games for New Zealand between the trailblazing (albeit controversial) 1928 tour of South Africa and the 1934 tour of Australia, playing his provincial football for Canterbury and Wellington. He set a record as the nation’s youngest Test captain (21 years, 112 days) when he led New Zealand against Australia in 1929.

Forgoing a certain place on the All Blacks’ 1935-36 tour of Britain, Lilburne joined the rugby league ranks and kicked five goals from five-eighth in a New Zealand XIII’s 47-31 loss to Australia in Hawera.

The 27-year-old played his sole Test on the wing in the second encounter with Australia, a 29-8 defeat at Carlaw Park captained by his former All Blacks teammate, Bert Cooke.

Lilburne skippered Wellington in a 48-8 loss to England in 1936 at the Basin Reserve.