Lou Brown (rugby league)

Playing career

Brown originally played for the Ngaruawahia Panthers in the Waikato Rugby League competition, before moving to Auckland and playing in the Auckland Rugby League competition for the Newton Rangers. He made his Auckland début against New South Wales in 1922 as a seventeen-year-old. After the 1923 season, Brown went to England and played for Wigan as an amateur in several reserve games. On his return Brown joined City. Newton appealed, which was upheld by both the Auckland Rugby League and the New Zealand Rugby League. As a result, he was suspended for three weeks until he rejoined the Newton club.

In 1927 he returned to England, joining Wigan as a professional.

Brown also played for Halifax and York before returning to Auckland in time to represent New Zealand in 1935. He also had further stints in France, with Bordeaux, and Bramley before suffering the illness that caused his death in 1947.

Representative career

Brown won caps for New Zealand in 1926 against England (2 matches) and Wales, in 1927 against England, in 1935 against Australia (3 matches), and in 1936 against England (2 matches), and won cap(s) for Other Nationalities while at Wigan against England. Brown was part of the 1926-27 tour of Great Britain that was marred by player discontent. He captained the Kiwis in one test match against Australia in 1935.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Brown played left wing, i.e. number 5, and scored a try, in Wigan's 13-2 victory over Dewsbury in the 1928-29 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 4 May 1929.

County Cup Final appearances

Brown played right wing, i.e. number 2, and scored a try, in Wigan's 5-4 victory over Widnes in the 1928 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1928–29 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 24 November 1928.

Death

Brown died in Auckland on 3 June 1947 and was buried at Waikaraka Cemetery.