George Sellars

George Maurice Victor Sellars (16 April 1886 – 7 June 1917) was a rugby union player who represented New Zealand fifteen times, including two Test matches. He played club rugby for Ponsonby, and was first selected for Auckland in 1910, and in 1912 gained international selection for New Zealand Māori. Sellars was selected for the All Blacks – as New Zealand's international team is known – for their 1913 tour of North America where he played fourteen matches. As well, he was also in the All Blacks' side that played Australia immediately prior to their tour. Although unavailable to play for New Zealand the following year, he did represent the Māori again that season. In 1915 Sellars enlisted for service in the First World War, and he was fatally wounded in 1917 at the Battle of Messines.^[1] He has no known grave and his name is among those recorded on the Messines Ridge (New Zealand) Memorial, at the Messines Ridge British Cemetery.^[2]

The New Zealand team before their departure to North America in 1913. Sellars is sitting in the second row on the far left.

George Sellars

Date of birth	(1886-04-16)16 April 1886
Place of birth	Auckland, New Zealand
Date of death	(1917-06-07)7 June 1917 (age 31)
Place of death	Messines, Belgium
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	76 kg (12.0 st)
School	Napier Street School (Auckland)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1906–14 Ponsonby () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1909–1914 Auckland 29 () 1912 North Island 1 () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1913 New Zealand 15 (6) 1912, 1914 New Zealand Māori

See also

• List of international rugby union players killed in World War I