Name/Title1924-25 'Invincibles' Tour Whistle
About this objectThis well-travelled whistle has been at the heart of New Zealand's historic rugby moments. It first appeared as a gift from the Cardiff Club to Welsh Referee Gil Evans after Evans had refereed matches between Cardiff and the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies. Later Evans presented it to fellow referee Albert Freethy, it was used in games played by the 1924-25 'Invincibles' All Blacks, and in the rugby final at the 1924 Olympics. Notably in the final match of the Invincibles tour Albert Freethy sent All Black Cyril Brownlie off. The All Blacks went on to win with only 14 players for most of the match. Gifted to the museum when it opened in 1969, the whistle returned to the field in 1987, to start the opening game of the Rugby World Cup. Subsequently the whistle was used to open the 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2011 Rugby World Cups (and even the first Super 12 game back in 1996). World Rugby finally retired the whistle from 2011.
MakerJ Hudson & Co
Maker RoleManufacturer
Date Made1908
Place MadeGreat Britain
Medium and MaterialsMetal
Inscription and Marks"To Gil Evans Esq Referee" etched on top
Measurements3 x 2.5cm x 6.5 cm
Credit LineDonated by 1924/25 "Invincibles" Team manager, Stan Dean
Object TypeWhistle
Object numberB194
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
A part of history my Great Grandfather’s whistle......
Albert Edwin Freethy was my great great uncle