Category Archives: New Zealand

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Remembering George Nepia

Posted on June 26, 2017 by

Extracted from ‘Babbled of Green Fields’ by Denzil Batchelor The New Zealand full-back was nineteen years old, and he was the only man in the side who played every match of the tour [NZ to UK, 1925].  He was only … Continue reading →

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All Blacks at Messines Ridge, 1917

Posted on June 7, 2017 by

In the attack leading to the capture of the Messines ridge in West Flanders, Belgium, by the Allies between June 7th and 14th 1917, the New Zealand Expeditionary Force were to the fore.  By the time the NZ troops were … Continue reading →

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