Sydney Shearer

Sydney David Shearer (23 October 1890 – 26 February 1973) was a New Zealand rugby union player who represented the All Blacks between 1921 and 1922. His position of choice was hooker.

Sydney Shearer
Birth nameSydney David Shearer
Date of birth(1890-10-23)23 October 1890
Place of birthWellington, New Zealand
Date of death18 September 1973(1973-09-18) (aged 82)
Place of deathWellington, New Zealand
Height1.71 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in)[1]
Weight84 kg (185 lb)
Notable relative(s)Jack Shearer
Occupation(s)Plumber[1]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1913–14
1920–21
1921–22, 24–30		 Oriental
Selwyn
Poneke		 ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1913–14, 1919–25 Wellington 49 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1921–22 New Zealand 0 (0)

Early life and family

Shearer was born in Wellington on 23 October 1890,[2][3] the son of Alexander Shearer and Mercy Lomas.[4] He had four brothers, including Jack Shearer who was an All Black in 1920, and five sisters[3][5][4] He married Irish-born Mary Kelly at Wellington in 1917, and they had four daughters.[6]

Rugby union

Shearer started his club career in 1913 at the Oriental club, playing with them for two seasons. After serving during World War I, he moved to the Selwyn club (where his brother Jack was playing) and played between 1919 and 1920. His last and more notable years came from representing the Poneke club between 1921 and 1930.[3][5] Initially a wing-forward, Shearer eventually switched to the middle of the front row as a hooker.[3][5]

Shearer made his debut for New Zealand against the 1921 New South Wales tourists. He toured New South Wales the next season playing all in five games. He played a further two more matches at home after the tour. Although he played eight matches for the All Blacks, he did not appear in a test match. He scored one try (3 points) in his All Black career.[3][5][7]

Military service

Shearer enlisted in March 1917, serving with the 29th Reinforcements, New Zealand Engineers in France as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was discharged in August 1919.[1]

Death

Shearer died in Wellington on 26 February 1973,[2] and was buried at Karori Cemetery.[8]

References
  1. "Shearer, Sidney - WW1 53564 - Army". Archives New Zealand. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  2. "Sydney David Shearer". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  3. Knight, Lindsay. "Sydney Shearer". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  4. "Descendants of Mercy Lomas". RootsWeb.com. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  5. Chester, Rod; McMillan, Neville; Palenski, Ron (1987). The Encyclopedia of New Zealand Rugby. Auckland, New Zealand: Moa Publications. p. 147. ISBN 0-908570-16-3.
  6. "Descendants of Sydney David Shearer". RootsWeb.com. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  7. Mori, Naohiko. "Sid Shearer - Player Profile". Oval Planet - All about world rugby football. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  8. "Cemeteries - Details - Wellington City Council". Wellington City Council. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
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