Originally a blacksmith by trade in Carterton and later a farmer in northern Wairarapa, Armstrong had natural strength as well considerable athleticism and an imposing physique. He was a big man for his era weighing in excess of 90kg.

Armstrong would undoubtedly have played more for New Zealand but faced stiff competition in the early part of his career from the likes of ‘Offside’ McKenzie, Otago’s James Duncan, who alternated between the five eighths and wing forward, and then Dave Gallaher.

Armstrong went on the tour of Australia in 1903 with the national side but Gallaher was also in the team and was preferred for most of the matches, including the test, the first in All Black history, against Australia in Sydney.

After playing in the preliminary match before departing for Australia against the Wellington Province Armstrong had four matches across the Tasman, though two of these were the high profile fixtures against Queensland and New South Wales. He did not play in any of the last five tour matches, possibly because of injury.

Between 1899 and 1905 Armstrong played in 33 matches as a Wairarapa representative. He also played for the North Island in each of the 1902 and 1903 seasons, making 40 first class appearances in all.

After retirement Armstrong turned to refereeing, reaching representative standard.

Profile by Lindsay Knight
for the New Zealand Rugby Museum.

ALL BLACK GAMES THAT ARMSTRONG PLAYED

(+) = substitute; (-) = replaced

1903

POINTS SCORED FOR THE ALL BLACKS

Armstrong played in no test matches for the All Blacks.