Dally Messenger
Australian rugby union player
Died when: 76 years 226 days (919 months)Star Sign: Aries
Herbert Henry Messenger, nicknamed "Dally" and sometimes "The Master" (12 April 1883 – 24 November 1959) was one of Australasia's first professional rugby footballers, recognised as one of the greatest-ever players in either code.
He played for New South Wales in the first match run by the newly created New South Wales Rugby Football League, which had just split away from the established New South Wales Rugby Football Union.
Messenger had a stocky build, and while standing only about 172 centimetres (5 ft 8 in) in height, he was a powerful runner of the ball and a solid defender.
According to his peers, the centre's greatest attributes were his unpredictability and astonishing physical co-ordination, coupled with a freakish ability to kick goals from almost any part of the ground.
He was a teetotaller and non-smoker during his career and other than breakfast, Messenger would rarely eat before a match.
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Australian rugby union player
Australian rugby union player
Australian rugby union player