Born in Arahura, which is 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Hokitika in the West Coast region of New Zealand, Wright was a printer by trade.[2][3] Wright began his rugby union career playing for North Wairarapa in 1899.He was also selected for the All Blacks but withdrew due to injury and never represented New Zealand in rugby union.[2] When news of the advent of rugby league football made its way from England to the Southern Hemisphere, Wright joined the professional All Blacks for the 1907–1908 tour of Great Britain and Australia.He played in the first ever trans-Tasman test which was the debut match of the Australia national rugby league team.