Category Archives: New Zealand

An Eyewitness Account of Wales v New Zealand, 1905

Posted on April 20, 2020 by

The All Blacks’ Tour of 1905 had official sanction; the financial arrangements were considered to be such that the amateur status of the players would not be endangered; and the tour opened with two amazing victories—over Devonshire by 55 points to 4, over Cornwall by 41 points to nil…  Continue reading →

Posted in Countries, New Zealand, Wales | 2 Comments

Historic Rugby Internationals: New Zealand v Australia, 1991

Posted on January 13, 2020 by

The semi-finals of the second Rugby World Cup held in Britain and France in the autumn of 1991 featured two clashes between historic rivals… Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Countries, International Players, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup | 1 Comment

Historic Rugby Internationals: New Zealand v France, 1961

Posted on August 12, 2019 by

The second test in the 3-match series between New Zealand and France played in a gale at Athletic Park, Wellington on August 5th 1961 ranks as one of the most remarkable test matches ever played… Continue reading →

Posted in Countries, France, International Players, New Zealand | 1 Comment

When the Crowd Stops Roaring by Neven MacEwan

Posted on July 22, 2019 by

Neven MacEwan played 20 times for New Zealand between 1956 and 1962. He helped defeat the British and Irish Lions three times during their 1959 tour of Australia and New Zealand and contributed to a 3-0 series whitewash of France in 1961. His international career came at a time when the All Blacks vied with South Africa for supremacy in the world game… Continue reading →

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Beginner’s Guide to The Rugby Championship

Posted on July 15, 2019 by

The Rugby Championship 2019 begins on Saturday so it’s the perfect time to get up to speed with the Southern Hemisphere’s round robin format tournament. Continue reading →

Posted in Argentina, Australia, Countries, New Zealand, South Africa | Leave a comment

Lest We Forget – Alexander James Ridland (New Zealand) 05/11/1918

Posted on November 5, 2018 by

Alexander James (Jimmy) Ridland died at Le Quesnoy in France on 5th November 1918 during the final week of the First World War.  A rifleman in the 1st Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, he was the last of the 13 All Blacks who lost their lives in the war.  Continue reading →

Posted in Countries, International Players, Lest We Forget, New Zealand, Services | Leave a comment

Dave Gallaher: The Original All-Black

Posted on October 29, 2018 by

Gallaher’s 1905 side created a legacy that continues to this day.  The words ‘All-Blacks’, as reported by British newspapers during the New Zealander’s stay, has instilled fear, admiration and respect ever since. Continue reading →

Posted in Countries, International Players, Lest We Forget, Museum Collection, New Zealand | Leave a comment

The All Blacks’ Dog

Posted on March 12, 2018 by

A year after the world sadly lost illustrator Murray Ball, the World Rugby Museum remembers his wit, politics and love of rugby.  Creator of the iconic Footrot Flats comic, the New Zealander left his mark on rugby history in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries, New Zealand | 1 Comment

Lest We Forget – Dave Gallaher and Albert Stewart, 04/10/1917

Posted on October 4, 2017 by

At the beginning of October 1917, the Allied Forces were deeply embroiled in attacking the German Army on the Western Front for control of the ridges south and east of the Belgian city of Ypres.  This third offensive in the Ypres Salient in West … Continue reading →

Posted in International Players, Ireland, Lest We Forget, New Zealand | 1 Comment

New Zealand’s Second Lieutenant Kaipara

Posted on August 4, 2017 by

A member of the inaugural New Zealand Maori team of 1910, Autini Pitara Kaipara was described by his peers as an outstanding rugby footballer.  Leaving behind rugby for the battlefields of Europe in 1914, Kaipara gave his life for his … Continue reading →

Posted in International Players, Lest We Forget, New Zealand | Leave a comment