Wrigley was born in Masterton, New Zealand to Edmund & Betsy Hannah Wrigley and was a plumber by trade.[3] He had five siblings, sisters Bertha, Charlotte & Alice and brothers Harry and Tom.
Rugby union career
Wrigley played rugby union for the Red Star club in Masterton and between 1903 and 1907 he played 18 games for Wairarapa. His brothers, Harry and Tom, also represented the Union.
When Wrigley made his All Blacks début in 1905 he was only 19 years 79 days of age and was the youngest person to play a test for the All Blacks. This record stood until 1994, when it was broken by Jonah Lomu.
Following the tour Wrigley returned to Britain for a full-time professional career, signed with Runcorn for £400 and a guarantee of employment as a plumber.[3] He later moved to Huddersfield, making 169 appearances for the club,[4] before joining Hunslet for a fee of £550.[5] He went to war and after returning played 7 games for Hunslet in the 1920-21 season before retiring.