 Warbrick may have wanted a team of exclusively Māori or part-Māori players, but according to historian Greg Ryan, including the Pākehā players was "necessary to strengthen the Native team and create a more effective combination".A further player, Pie Wynyard, was added to the side after they arrived in Britain in November 1888.The side's first match was against Hawke's Bay on 23 June 1888, with Warbrick playing in the backs.