BERT LEATHERBARROW – KIWI #275

Born: 1911 – Prestwich, England
Died: 20 July, 1983
Tests: 0 Tests
Tours: 1939 tour of Great Britain

Auckland hooker Bert Leatherbarrow was a tryscorer in his only appearance for New Zealand – the second of just two matches played by the 1939 Kiwis in Great Britain before the tour was abandoned due to the outbreak of World War II.

A Devonport player in the Auckland club competition during the first half of the 1930s, England-born Leatherbarrow had a stint with Ponsonby and was at Mount Albert by the time he was named as one of two hookers named for the 1939 tour, along with Buller’s George Orman. He crossed for one of the Kiwis’ four tries in their 22-10 over Dewsbury.

Leatherbarrow turned out for Mt Albert upon the squad’s return home, while he joined City for its Fox Memorial-winning campaign of 1944.