Born: June 27, 1910 – Molteno, South Africa Died: June 27, 1968 – Auckland Test record: 1 Test (1932) – 0 points
The first of New Zealand’s first set of three brothers to represent the Kiwis, Ted Brimble played a solitary Test against the English tourist of 1932.
Born in South Africa to a Bantu mother and English father, his family emigrated to New Zealand in 1915 via two years in Hawaii. Ted played rugby union for the Manukau club and became a well-regarded first five-eighth, before switching to rugby league with Newton Rangers in 1930.
After New Zealand lost the first two Tests against England in 1932, Brimble was selected at five-eighth for the third at Carlaw Park, replacing Wilfred Hassan. He gave a good account of himself in the 20-18 defeat but that would be his only match for his country.
Brimble played for Newton until 1940, while he represented Auckland in 1933 and 1935, and played for a Taranaki XIII against England in 1936. He also regularly played for Auckland Māori, despite not being of Māori heritage.
He later served in World War II as a private in the 29th (Mixed) Battalion in the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Third Echelon.
Younger brothers Walter and Wilfred toured Australia with the Kiwis in 1938.