 In 1892 , following the canvassing of provincial administrators by Ernest <unk> , the New Zealand Rugby Football Union ( NZRFU ) was formed by the majority of New Zealand 's provincial unions , but did not include Canterbury , Otago or Southland . The first officially sanctioned New Zealand side toured New South Wales in 1893 , where the Thomas Ellison captained team won nine of their ten matches . The following year New Zealand played its first home " international " game , losing 8 – 6 to New South Wales . The team 's first true test match occurred against Australia on 15 August 1903 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of over 30 @,@ 000 spectators , and resulted in a 22 – 3 victory . 
