Wynyard was from a sporting family that included three uncles that were part of the 1888–89 New Zealand Native football team that conducted a rugby union tour of Great Britain.

Wynyard became a valuable member of the squad, scoring six tries, however injury meant he had to wait until the squad returned to Australia to make his test debut, playing in the first ever trans-Tasman test which was the debut match of the Australia national rugby league team.

Unlike many of the touring party Wynyard opted not to return to a professional contract in Britain and instead stayed in New Zealand to help establish rugby league.

He largely acted as a coach and selector for the North Shore club though he did come out of retirement to play a match for them in Round 7 of the 1913 season and scored a try in a 10–7 win.

For 34 years he was connected with the firm of P/ Hayman and Sons, Ltd.[6] Wynyard later became the President of the New Zealand Rugby League and was made the organisations first life member.