James Carson (rugby union)

John James Carson (9 March 1870 - 17 August 1903) was a rugby union player who represented Australia.

James Carson

Birth name	John James Carson
Date of birth	(1870-03-09)9 March 1870
Place of birth	New Zealand
Date of death	17 August 1903(1903-08-17) (aged 33)
Place of death	Dunedin
Occupation(s)	Fireman
Rugby union career
Position(s) prop Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Pirates (Sydney) () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1893–99 New South Wales 22 () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1899 Australia 1 (0)

Biography

Carson, a prop, was born in Grahamstown, New Zealand and claimed one international rugby cap for Australia. His sole game was against Great Britain, at Sydney, on 24 June 1899, the inaugural rugby Test match played by an Australian national representative side. Zavos describes Carson as a "formidable front-rower" and quotes a contemporary commentator "the best all-round forward in Australia....in the pack, in the loose and on the lineout, he is equally good." Zavos cites the highest praises as being an acknowledgement by "New Zealanders" that he was as good as any forward in that country.

Carson died from tuberculosis in 1903.

Carson appeared in the inaugural Australian rugby union team, 1899

Sources

• Collection (1995) Gordon Bray presents The Spirit of Rugby, Harper Collins Publishers Sydney
• Howell, Max (2005) Born to Lead - Wallaby Test Captains, Celebrity Books, Auckland NZ