Thomas Gibson (Tom) Pauling

Tom Pauling was a loose forward who after playing for New Zealand on a tour of Australia in 1897 stayed on in Australia and continued to achieve prominence in the game. He played for New South Wales in 1898-99, then turned to refereeing where he became one of Australia's best.

However, his former countrymen may not have held him in quite the same light. He refereed three of the games played by New Zealand on the 1903 of Australia and in the match against NSW caused a stir by ordering New Zealand's Reuben Cooke from the field. A later inquiry exonerated Cooke.

Pauling went on to further major appointments. He refereed Australia in two tests against the touring Great Britain side in 1904, New South Wales against the Anglo Welsh in 1908 on three occasions and the test between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Sydney in 1914.

His son, Tom, was also a fine player who gained two caps for the Wallabies and played three times for New South Wales in the 1930s including the win over the touring Springboks in 1937. He was a versatile player who played at top level as a either a centre or a loose forward.

The elder Pauling was a product of Wellington's old Athletic club. He was a forward who represented Wellington in the 1895-96 seasons. He was in the Wellington team which overran the touring Queensland side in 1896, scoring two tries and kicking two conversions and a penalty goal in the 49-7 win. That won him a place in the New Zealand team which three days later beat the Queenslanders 9-0.

After playing for the North Island in 1897 he retained his New Zealand place for the tour of Australia. He played in eight of the matches on tour, scoring four tries and kicking three conversions.

Pauling's decision to migrate to Australia was undoubtedly linked to his problems in making himself available for the 1897 tour. A saddler with the New Zealand Defence Forces he was unable to leave so had to resign to make the trip.

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