James Barber (rugby)

Barber originally played rugby union and represented Wellington.

He played at fullback or scrum-half and was part of the side that won the Ranfurly Shield.

[2] Barber originally missed selection for the professional All Blacks for the 1907–1908 tour of Great Britain and Australia but was placed on stand by.

He played in the first ever trans-Tasman test which was the debut match of the Australia national rugby league team.

[4] In 1912 he was in Petone's side that won the inaugural Wellington Rugby League competition.

The Petone senior rugby team in 1907 with Barber in the second row on the left. Tom Cross (rugby) , Hercules Wright , and Henry Knight were in the back row on the left. were next to him to the left
Barber in the Wellington side v Auckland at Victoria Park in 1912.