Career
He has since been named amongst the nation"s finest football players of the 20th century. Born in Sydney, but raised in Newcastle, Herb Narvo signed with Newtown in 1937 and soon shone as one of the form forwards of the competition. Following an injury to Joe Pearce, Narvo was a late call up to 1937 Kangaroo tour where he starred, playing in four Tests, eighteen minor matches and scoring ten tour tries.
He is listed on the Australian Players Register as Kangaroo Number.
218. He played for Norths Newcastle in 1938 and made state representative appearances for New South Wales from 1938-1941 but his national Test career was limited due to the war. In 1946 he joined the Saint George Dragons and as captain-coach, steered the club to a Grand final appearance in which they were defeated by the Balmain Tigers.
He captain-coached Maher Cup side Cootamundra in 1947, and Camden"s team in 1948 before finishing his career in 1949 with Newtown. Narvo was also a boxer of note, winning the Australian Heavyweight Championship in 1945.
In only his 13th professional fight Narvo defeated Billy "Wocko" Britt in just 23 seconds to claim the Australian title.
He lost his boxing title to Jack Johnson in 1946 and captained Street George in a club match the very next day. He was in the Royal Australian Air Force during World World War World War II He was stationed at Richmond, New South Wales and served as a physical training, boxing and paratroop instructor. Herb Narvo, died at his home on 28 July 1958 after a long battle with cancer.
He was 45.
He had been in Royal Newcastle Hospital for several months during which he underwent several operations. He was buried at Sandgate Cemetery.
