WARBRICK, JOSEPH ASTBURY (1862-1903) was born in the Rotorua district, being a son of Abraham Warbrick, native interpreter. Educated at St Stephen's College in Auckland, he learned there to play Rugby football, and at the age of 15 represented Auckland province against Otago, playing as full-back. In 1878 he played for Wellington against Canterbury, Otago and Nelson. In 1880, playing for the same side, he was mainly responsible for the defeat of his native province by potting a goal from near the halfway flag. In 1882 Warbrick returned to Auckland, which he represented in two matches against New South Wales. He played for Auckland for some years, and was chosen in the New Zealand team to tour New South Wales.

In 1885 he captained Hawke's Bay against Poverty Bay, and then for a year or two captained Auckland, including the match against New South Wales. In 1888 Warbrick played for Wellington against the English team, and he was one of the organisers of the Native team which toured the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand in 1888-89. He then settled down as a farmer in the Bay of Plenty, but continued to play football, representing his province for the last time in 1894.

Warbrick was a member of the Whakatane county council and first chairman of the Rangitaiki drainage board, in which he took a great interest. He was an ardent horticulturist. He was killed in an eruption of Waimangu geyser on 30 Aug 1903.

N.Z. Rugby Annual, 1920; N.Z. Herald, 1 Sep 1903.

Reference: Volume 2, page 231

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