This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who served in, and survived, The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Hassell, Edward William (‘Nut’) played for New Zealand (The NZ Rugby Museum and the Nominal Roll have his name as ‘Hasell’) Internationals: 2 : 1913 A+ (1t) A- Edward Hassell was born on 26 April 1889, in Christchurch Played as a Hooker for: Normal School Christchurch, Merivale, Canterbury, South Island, Combined Services Profession: Law/brewery secretary and accountant. War service: 17602 , Bombardier in NZ Field Artillery Remarks: Played in the King’s Cup with Combined Services 1919. He played 7 matches for the All Blacks, including 2 Internationals. He died on 7 April 1966, in Christchurch.
Edward William Hasell ( one "S" ) b. 26 April 1889 in Christchurch d. 7 April 1966 in Christchurch - Major teams New Zealand Services, New Zealand, New Zealand XV As well as having a long career in first class rugby spanning 1909 and 1920 Edward Hasell had one of the most appropriate nicknames of any All Black. Presumably because his surname was pronounced "Hazel" he was always known as "Nut." From Merivale, one of Christchurch's oldest clubs, Hasell was an All Black both before and after World War I. A lively hooker in the old 2-3-2 scrum formation, Hasell played in the second and third tests against Australia in 1913 when another All Black selection was on its way to tour California. He served in World War I in the N Z Field Artillery and was then in the New Zealand Army team which won the Kings Cup in Britain and then toured South Africa in 1919. By now a veteran of 31, Hasell climaxed an eventful career by touring Australia with the All Blacks in 1920. He played in five of the matches, four as a hooker and one as a siderow forward. Hasell also appeared in the interisland matches before and after the war. He was in the South Island side in 1911 and again in 1920. Included in Hasell's 41 appearances were Ranfurly Shield challenges against Auckland in 1910, Taranaki in 1914 and Wellington in 1920. Unusually for a forward Hasell was a competent goalkicker and one of his specialties was to kick goals from marks, a method of scoring which has become obsolete in the modern game because marks can now be only inside the 22. On the 1920 tour Hasell kicked five conversions in the one match against a New South Wales XV. Sergeant/ Accountant 20th Reinforcements New Zealand Field Artillery NOK - Mrs H. Hasell (mother), Colombo Street, Saint Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand
