[2] Devine originally played rugby union for the Marist Old Boys club in Canterbury.

However, Marist Old Boys were expelled from the Canterbury Rugby Union in April 1924 after they forfeited a Payne Cup fixture in 1923 due to a row over the eligibility of three players.

In mid-November, following further disturbances which almost led to the tour party being evicted from their Harrogate hotel, it was decided that coach Mair would withdraw from team selection and match tactics for a period of four weeks.

The tour, and the costly disputes, continued with the rebels eventually setting sail for home a week earlier than their colleagues.

He had been a "first-grade distance swimmer" and represented Manawatu at rugby before he had been transferred to Wellington where he played for Marist Old Boys.