4. AB's in SA, Shield Draw
An early training run in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, captain Brian Lochore with arm in plaster. From left; Ron Urlich, Gerald Kember, Jazz Muller, Grizz Wyllie, Ian Kirkpatrick.
The All Blacks began their tour in impressive fashion, smashing all in sundry leading up to their sorry first test defeat in Pretoria on July 25th. En route, some provincial heavy weights were put away, most notably Transvaal (34-17), Western Transvaal (21-17) and Orange Free State (30-12) in successive games. The hot favourite tag to take the first of the rubber did not sit well with the men in black, although hopes were high that at last, a series could be won in the republic.
The nature of the 6-17 loss was devastating to the New Zealanders, who found themselves beaten at their own strengths, forced to play the game going backwards by the superiority in tactics and the physical endeavour of the Springboks.
It was the All Blacks first loss in this test arena since beaten by the same opposition in Christchurch, September 4th, 1965 - 17 test matches since. It was also the first test match in that sequence to be played without Colin Meads, his forearm fractured against Eastern Transvaal, five matches prior.
“In the first test, they blew us out of the game. Joggie Jansen crunched ‘Baker’ Cottrell. Frik du Preez dealt to Chris Laidlaw. They were also fired up by the apartheid thing. The opposition was getting stronger to it and they were thinking if they didn’t win, they might never play again”.
Colin Meads (Behind the Silver Fern: Playing Rugby for NZ) Tony Johnson & Lynn McConnell
“They hit us with everything and we never tried to change our game plan. It was carry on the same, we’ll just move it. They did their homework, they came at us and we were shell shocked.”
Ian Kirkpatrick (Behind the Silver Fern: Playing Rugby for NZ) Tony Johnson & Lynn McConnell
With Piney out, Frik du Preez was basically unchallenged come line-out time and the Springboks won a feast of ball. Most of it was sent skyward by fly-half, Piet Visagie, whose judgement in kicking seriously upset the AB’s. Towering punts out into no-mans land, behind the wings and far wide of Fergi McCormick, gave the tourists defence a threadbare look.
Down 0-12 at half-time, most unfamiliar territory for most of these All Blacks, they played with desperate élan during the second half, attempting to reduce the shattering deficit. Unfortunately, they could not sufficiently eliminate their errors to get right back into the match, which contributed vastly to their own misfortunes.
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The British Commonwealth Games (formerly Empire Games). Edinburgh, Scotland, July 16th-25th, 1970
New Zealand were represented at the 1970 Commonwealth Games by 65 competitors and 19 officials.
New Zealand's flagbearer at the opening ceremony was field athlete Leslie Roy Mills (1/11/1934-), future Mayor of Auckland (1990-1998) and the man responsible for what would become an international string of gymnasiums.
The New Zealand team finished 11th on the medal table, winning a total of 14 medals, two of which were gold. (Mills himself won silver in the discus)
The two gold medals were won by cyclists, Harry Kent (Mens 1km time trial) and Bruce Biddle (Mens individual road race).
Probably however, the most endearing memory from a Kiwi point of view belongs to Sylvia Mildred Potts ONZM (1943-1999). She finished fifth in the 800m, but it is for her finish in the 1500m that she is most remembered. Leading the race into the final few metres, Potts fell just short of the finishing line and eventually finished in ninth place.
Second test action from Newlands in Cape Town, where the AB’s squared the series. Ian Kirkpatrick, held by Jan Ellis, looks to Bill Davis for support. Mannetijies Roux (12), Frik du Preez and Piet Greyling (6) are close at hand.
The sage had mooted that there had been ominous signs during the last three matches; the ball dropped far too often, the pass poorly delivered under pressure, the forwards failing to cover the loose ball or the breakdown with the aggressive pace and efficiency of the first triumphant weeks of the tour.
Ivan Vodanovich nailed it when he said, simply; “They barrelled us!”
When it and the series seemed gone, the All Blacks rallied to take out the second test by a single point. It was brutal match. Ian MacRae stated that the dressing room was like an ambulance ward, with much blood and guts spilled in the win.
Six minutes from time, Springbok full-back, Ian McCullum kicked a penalty to give the ‘Boks an 8-6 advantage. Spurred on by an appeal - with words used only in the shearing shed back home in Masterton - from captain, Brian Lochore, who had himself played a fine game, the AB’s unleashed three attacks, spinning the ball through many hands to invade Springbok territory. Thorne almost made the line and the men in black flooded into the ensuing ruck, the home side without pattern in defence.
As Chris Laidlaw sent the backs away, South African centre, Mannetijies Roux, was caught offside in midfield and with time almost up on the clock, Fergi McCormick goaled from an easy position. The touch judge’s flags seemed to stay down for an age, before reluctantly being raised in the affirmative.
A hushed depression fell over the 40,000 white spectators at Newlands in Cape Town. The 10,000 in the ‘coloured’ area behind the Springbok goal posts went hysterical, leaping, cavorting and waving All Black pennant’s in the air.
All Black half-back, Chris Laidlaw, scores a try early in the second half of the second test at Newlands. Alan Sutherland is in support. Dawie de Villiers and Sid Nomis are both a fraction too late on the scene.
“The treatment of non-whites was something to behold. Coloured and black people were herded into the ends of the field and the white South Africans were sitting in all the flash seats. Every time I scored, or we scored, the coloured community would go berserk with delight’.
Bryan Williams (Behind the Silver Fern: Playing Rugby for NZ) Tony Johnson & Lynn McConnell
In the New Zealand-like conditions, drizzle and a greasy ground, the All Blacks had rescued the series. But while they rolled on through the provinces; Western Province (29-6), Natal (29-8), Northern Transvaal (19-15), they dropped the third test by 3-14 at Port Elizabeth, meaning only a win in the fourth and final test in Johannesburg would suffice if the rubber were to be squared.
Selected to tour as a utility back, some solid performances at fullback had earned Gerald Kember the game against Natal, where he converted four of his teams five tries and kicked a penalty.
In the first match post the third test, Kember amassed a world record of points (34) in the All Blacks 85-0 win in Burgersdorp (119-0 by today’s scoring), converting 14 of 17 tries scored and adding a couple of penalties. His spot-on demonstration of goal kicking and general field play saw him lay the gauntlet down to the selectors ahead of the final test match, with McCormick looking jaded, bruised and battered.
They responded in the affirmative and after also featuring in the 19-15 win against the powerful Northern transvaal side (1968 and ’69 Currie Cup winners and beaten finalists in 1970) Ged made his test debut along with Blair Furlong and Keith Murdoch. This would be his only test match for his country.
Ged Kember being photographed by a fan following the AB’s comprehensive 85-0 thrashing of North-East Cape.
An incident which had occurred in Potchefstroom following the Gazelles fixture, would be indicative of the nature of the tour, with Ivan Vodanovich often questioned over some of his strange selection decisions.
Alex Wyllie and Alister Hopkinson pulled a prank on the coach, which to a large extent, determined the outcome of the fourth test. The two Canterbury players were standing at the bottom of the hotel steps, when Vodanovich came down the stairs in a hurry. ‘Grizz’ put his foot out and tripped Ivan the terrible, who plunged through the swivel doors and landed face down in the hotel foyer.
“Right!” said the coach as he picked himself up from the floor. “No Canterbury players in the test team!”
He remained true to his word, despite the disbelief as expressed by most journalists - from NZ or SA - who attended the announcement of the team for the fourth test.
Most thought it some sort of hoax. McCormick would have died for the silver fern. Springbok playmaker, Piet Visagie, was terrified of Wyllie. Cottrell had looked sharp against the Gazelles and was refreshed.
Hopkinson? Was it a sign perhaps, that he had fallen out of favour with Ivan Vodanovich?
In 1971 he played a leading role for Canterbury in the infamous match against the touring Lions. He was only 30 and the All Blacks sorely lacked experience. ‘Keefy’ had been selected but mysteriously disappeared. But the selection panel, still headed by Vodanovich, consistently ignored Hopkinson for the tests. He wasn’t even given a trial.
Selection decisions aside, the All Black’s effort in the final test, was as gallant as any before it, but they fell short in the final push for parity and although there were many factors in play, as the match progressed, the forwards slumped into weariness.
The early struggle in the vanguard was the most torrid of the series. There were two fierce dust-ups in the first half, with punches thrown freely. Much of the trouble stemmed from the front row, where Murdoch and Hannes Marais were often at odds. ‘Keefy' had earned his test call-up after near pulverising former Springbok strong man, Ronnie Potgieter, in the Northern Transvaal game.
A call up to test duty was imminent for Keith Murdoch, following his dominance over the revered Ronnie Potgieter in the match against Northern Transvaal.
Bedevilled by severe abominable upsets after every game played, anything untoward that Marais was up to was bound to have annoyed Mr. Murdoch. After the test he was taken to hospital to have his appendix whipped out.
Gerald Kember scored 14 of New Zealand’s 17 points, with four penalty goals and the conversion of the games one true highlight, Bryan Williams famous try, where he side-stepped two South Africans in the in-goal area before dotting the ball down between the posts.
The 1-3 loss in the test series, having gone unbeaten through the provinces, was a shattering blow to New Zealand rugby. They were undoubtedly the best national side in world rugby and the South Africans themselves were coming off a disastrous tour of the UK only a few months prior. It was do-or-die for the Springboks and what better way to reinvigorate the sport and loyal supporters than a home series win against the old foe.
Of the many factors which contributed to the loss; injuries, illness, duration of the tour, strange selectorial decisions, loss of form by individual players, complacency perhaps, the one which no doubt hurt the side the most was being completely out thought at almost all stops.
Ged Kember in action against Natal, the first of a string of fine performances which led to his eventual test call-up.
The South African’s were underestimated, a little arrogantly. They had a coach, Johan Claassen (an ex-Springbok himself), who believed that tight forward supremacy is the basis for all rugby and the only way the All Blacks could be beaten. They had an intelligent captain, a tremendous set of loose forwards, some pretty classy backs and a prodigious goal-kicker.
Given the AB’s blistering, expansive form early in the tour, Claassen further established that they must not be allowed to cross the advantage line and upon every occasion the ball was in the hands of someone wearing a black jersey, they must be instantly tackled to the ground.
The Springboks worked tirelessly and single-mindedly toward achieving their goal and - despite some quite appalling refereeing, which would be even more prevalent six years later - they played to a plan, took their chances and deserved their series success.
Ged Kember played in just 11 of the 24 tour matches in South Africa, amassing an impressive 113 points (34 conversions and 15 penalties).
“The All Blacks had it too easy in most of the games and there was a relaxation in the basic skills. Tackling became a lost art because the tourists were seldom called on to set up defensive screens. They were suffering from delusions of grandeur. They were winning so handsomely that they disregarded the fundamentals of the game and indulged in fancy patterns that had too many loose threads.”
Gabriel David, Rugby and be Damned, 1970
As a seven year old, my main recollection of the tour was collecting press clippings (especially for ‘rugby men’) and getting up in the middle of the night to listen to the live broadcast of the test matches on radio. A full replay was shown in black and white on NZBC (we had just the one TV channel in those days) the following Saturday afternoon.
The series loss had a major effect on the psyche of the average New Zealander, whether they liked it or not. The All Blacks had a splendid run through the late 1960’s, mirrored by the economy until the wool crisis in 1969. But because the nations (seemingly) most important people - the ageing white, male politician, bankers, businessman - were all rugby mad, when the AB’s got beaten, the financial state suffered.
“House prices will drop on Monday,” my father would always say after every test defeat during the 70’s. The doom and gloom that pervaded following such a loss caused folk to cancel dinner parties they had planned for later that evening. Others to ring and say they couldn’t make it after all.
Police always noted a spike in crime following an international loss and alcohol sales at off-licences went up, so too I guess, domestic violence cases. An employer I had in later years admitted to going outside, punching a tree and breaking his wrist following a loss to France in 1979.
At around the same time as the 1970 New Zealand rugby season drew to a close, the United Kingdom’s Four Home Unions Committee (4HUC), chaired by John Tallent (with Albert Agar as secretary), appointed Dr. Douglas Smith (manager) and Carwyn James as coach of the British Lions side, scheduled to tour this country the following year.
The 1970 All Blacks to Australia and South Africa
Back row: Henare Milner (Wanganui), Bryan Williams (Auckland), Bruce McLeod (Counties), Wayne Cottrell (Canterbury), Bill Davis (Hawkes Bay), Malcolm Dick (Auckland).
Second row: Blair Furlong (Hawkes Bay), Ron Urlich (Auckland), Alex Wyllie (Canterbury),
Brian Muller (Taranaki), Ian MacRae (Hawkes Bay), Gerald Kember (Wellington),
Keith Murdoch (Otago).
First Row: Jake Burns (Canterbury), Alister Hopkinson (Canterbury), Ian Kirkpatrick (Poverty Bay), Sam Strahan (Manawatu), Alan Smith (Taranaki), Alan Sutherland (Marlborough),
Bevan Holmes (North Auckland), Tom Lister (South Canterbury).
Seated: Chris Laidlaw (Otago), Colin Meads (King Country/Vice-Captain), Ron Burk (Manager),
Brian Lochore (Wairarapa/Captain), Ivan Vodanovich (Asst. Manager),
Neil Thimbleby (Hawkes Bay), Earle Kirton (Otago)
In front: Bruce Hunter (Otago), Fergi McCormick (Canterbury), Grahame Thorne (Auckland),
Sid Going (North Auckland)
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I guess the average kiwi, suspicious of change, would have been a little paranoid about this, the new decade, for it brought with it an era of uncertainty and change, which had all begun with the upbeat ’Swinging 60’s’ turning viral and hippy by the end of the decade.
We were decent and conservative folk in New Zealand, who went about our business without making too much fuss. In other words, we didn’t like to be the one seen to be asking the questions or to be pointed at for challenging the establishment or the natural order of things.
'Darcy' Dougan; by name and appearance, he could have been a cast member of the BBC drama series, The Onedin Line.
But, bit by bit, overseas fashions, styles, attitudes and trends were slowly creeping into sleepy old New Zealand. One that was largely frowned upon by the rugby establishment was the encroachment of hair length to near the collar. Short back and sides was their preferred option and one which had served New Zealand rugby well through the years.
‘Nectar’ Stevens and his old high school mate, Robert Burgess (who would go on to become the worlds first fully long-haired All Black), were two of the catalyst’s of this category ‘A’ crime in this country. Ian Stevens blond mop had certainly grown an inch or two since 1967. Exaggerated sideboards (mutton chops) were coming in also, as modelled throughout the season by ‘Darcy’ Dougan.
By the time the British Lions left these shores almost a calendar year later, long haired rugby players (chiefly backs) resembled members of the cast of ‘The Onedin Line’, a BBC drama set in Liverpool in the Victorian era. In studio team photo’s, the clean-cut conservative look had been largely superseded by this new breed of wooly liberal trying to system buck.
The pandemic had been nigh on impossible to contain. If things continued in this fashion - and with such velocity and momentum - we could be staring down the barrel of the utterly unthinkable; a Labour government coming to power in 1972! Heaven forbid. Next thing there'd be All Blacks with long hair!
I embraced all these seemingly radical changes as, being just seven, my little world was simultaneously opening up also. Unfortunately though, I never made it back to rugby headquarters until October 4th.
Wellington were away on a South Island tour during the second half of August, so no rep games at the Park during the school holidays. In the first match, against Mid-Canterbury at Ashburton, the Lions ran in 11 tries (three of them to ‘Nectar’) in running up a 46-9 cricket score.
South Canterbury were dispatched by 26-5 two days later and then came the big result, a 14-3 win over Otago at Carisbrook. With so many games in quick succession, it wasn’t overly surprising when they were beaten in the final match in Invercargill, by 14-23.
Although Wellington started well, leading 5-0 after a fine solo try by ‘Nectar’, Southland wasted no time in hitting back and led by 14-5 at half-time and 20-5 half way through the second half. Wellington were good in patches, but threw away some certain tries with glaring errors.
There were far too many offside and ruck infringements and in the end, the Lions conceded 25 penalties to Southland’s eight. In fact, Graham Williams at one point became clearly agitated with the referee.
He himself though, had knocked the ball on with the goal line at his mercy and Robert Gray over ran a short kick through by John Dougan, which conveniently sat up for him in the in-goal area. Although Andy Leslie, Gareth Head and Terry McCashin put in good individual efforts, the pack were undone again by a southern side resolutely determined to work and drive as one.
‘Nectar’ though, enjoyed an excellent game. His try was the result of a splendid effort and he constantly upset his opposite, B D Healey, around the scrums. Outside him, Johnny Dougan was his usual erratic self. ‘Batts’ ran dangerously, but often went too far alone and away from his support.
The architect of Southland’s win was the New Zealand Universities first five-eighth, Bob Burgess, whose astute tactical kicking constantly kept the Wellington players guessing. He set up Southland’s first try, then scored one himself.
Back on home soil, Wellington dispatched of Auckland (19-11), Hawkes Bay (18-10) and Waikato (16-14), all within seven days. The fact that I never attended any of these matches, I can only attribute to my father (my personal taxi service) and his own lack of desire, knowing that no All Black would be playing.
Wellington v Auckland, Athletic Park, 5th September, 1970. (Left) Alan Watkins spies a gap which seems to have Owen Stephens bamboozled. Al Keown looks on. (Right) Nectar, in a rich vein of form, sets his backs away, Andy Leslie in support.
In fact, it was the very week that the AB’s themselves played Northern Transvaal/Gazelles/South Africa (fourth test). Wellington’s job at hand looked about as ominous as the big brother line-up and the three fixtures would be regarded as a measure of how prepared they were for their all important shield match on September 30th.
As it was, a sprightly Wellington team ran around a lack-lustre Auckland outfit with comprehensive ease. Even in the second spell, when Auckland pressed hard with the wind at their backs, the Lions fought their way clear. Foiled in the forwards and flattened in the backs, most of Auckland’s points came against the run of play.
In the line-outs, where Auckland were expected to win a vast majority of the ball through the up-and-coming Peter John Whiting (06/08/1946), most of it was tapped carelessly back to half-back, Bruce Gemmell. On the day he was no match for Al Keown, when it came to clean, two handed taking of the ball.
Working in close support of the ball carrier, captain Williams was outstanding and collected two tries. Gary Weinberg, at centre, played probably his best match for Wellington. Owen Stephens showed glimpses of the form which had earned him an All Black jersey.
Auckland’s tackling in the backs was poor, especially the centre, Tingle (accepting that Malcolm Dick, Bryan Williams and Grahame Thorne were in SA) and Weinberg broke through almost at will, setting up Stephens and Robert Gray for incisive runs.
Only poor finishing work at vital moments and some grand cover defence by No. 8, Peter Thorburn, restricted Wellington to just 19 points. Dick Cleland and Alan Watkins cancelled each other out at inside centre and, after taking two knocks early in the game, Mac Herewini was very quiet for the visitors.
‘Darcy’ Dougan made a great fist of covering the full-back role for the match and ‘Nectar’, a class above Gemmell, looked purposeful running with the ball. His rapport with Leslie and Dougan in running the blind resulted, following a deft grubber from ‘Darcy’, in a try to ‘Noddy’ Stephens.
Wellington’s pack went about their work most efficiently, winning rucked ball with match-winning regularity. The mobility of Head, McCashin, McDonald, Keown and Waller had them arriving right behind the loose trio of Leslie, Williams and Nicholls and ‘Nectar’ was able to provide brisk, clean service to the recalled Mattie Blackburn at first five-eighth.
McCashin took three tight-heads to one from his opposite rake, Ben Hathaway.
Four days later the Magpies were in town. The same fifteen man winning combination as the Auckland game, backed up and prepared to face a side which had dominated the provincial scene for several seasons. True, they were without MacRae, Davis, Furlong and Thimbleby - all in South Africa - but they were still led by the All Black legend in Kel Tremain and contained shield heroes in Duncan, Smith, Paewai, Condon, Crawford and Hilton Meech.
Wellington hadn’t beaten the Bay since 1966, a few days after they’d lifted the Ranfurly Shield from Waikato and the Magpies had recently given Canterbury, who had so easily dismantled Wellington, a bit of a drubbing, winning by 17-3 in Napier. Pre-match, it was a tight one to call.
As it transpired, the small Wednesday crowd enjoyed a fine game of rugby, with Wellington the deserved winner by 18 points to 10. Six tries were scored, four to the home side.
Part thereof the Magpies game plan seemed based around upsetting ‘Darcy’, who had just returned to the capital after two years in the Bay, where he had been a team-mate of most of the opposition. Again, he was the stand-in fullback for the day.
Whatever their intention, the ruse did not work for Hawkes Bay. ‘Darcy’ did not crumble, in fact he seemed to thrive with his work load and the kicks to him, which weren’t all that accurate, only meant lack of ball for the outside backs.
From scrums, line-outs and rucks won, it was the same story. If Hepa Paewai did not kick deep, then Geoff Martin at stand-off did. Playing at centre, Mick Duncan, was not overly effective either and it was only after he left the field injured in the 68th minute that the Magpies started to run the ball. By then they were eight points adrift of Wellington.
The home side scored first after only five minutes, when a clearing kick by Paewai was partially charged down and failed to find touch. Robert Gray took the ball outside the 25 and feigned to run the open side, then spun around and - as both packs watched in amazement - hared down the touchline to cross in the corner and head round toward the posts.
St. Pats OB captain, Robert Gray, scored two exceptional tries in the mid-week match against Hakes Bay.
A couple of minutes later, a grubber kick to Dougan had the fullback under pressure and good work by the Hawkes Bay forwards in a surging, rucking drive, resulted in Richard Robinson ploughing over for a try, which Paul Carney converted.
After ten minutes, substitute goal-kicker, Owen Stephens, seemed reluctant to use the wind favouring the Lions, but when persuaded to, blasted the kick (from a metre on the Magpies side of half-way) clean between the uprights. He added another penalty goal when Mick Duncan was caught off side.
Right from the restart, Wellington scored the try of the match. From behind their 25, the Lions spun the ball and with ‘Noddy’ Stephens coming in as the extra man, made space for Gary Weinberg to send the ball on to Bob Gray, who stunned the crowd by running away from Mick Duncan, then crashing through the tackle of Paul Carney to score in the corner.
Ten minutes later, Wellington went further ahead. After asserting pressure on the Bay, Al Keown drove for the line, but was held, in turn, feeding the ball to Dennis Waller, who - at daisy-height - dynamically plunged through tackles to score.
In the tackle of Hawkes Bay fullback, Paul Carney, Dennis Waller plunges through to score for Wellington after a period of sustained pressure.
At 15-5 ahead at half-time, Wellington looked secure. But three minutes after the restart, Kel Tremain, using all the cunning of his long experience, scored a very good try from close to the line. Again, Carney converted and the deficit was reduced to just five points.
At 15-5 ahead at half-time, Wellington looked secure. But three minutes after the restart, Kel Tremain, using all the cunning of his long experience, scored a very good try from close to the line. Again, Carney converted and the deficit was reduced to just five points.
Midway through the spell, however, when Owen Stephens crossed in the corner following a heady kick through by - of all people - Gareth Head, the game was virtually over.
Every man in the Wellington pack had turned in a solid performance. There was stealth and effort from the entire front row of Head, McDonald and McCashin. Head was often the first man up to take the loose ball and probe for gaps.
Waller and Keown were always ready to plough into the rucks in partnership. Wayne Nicholls used his speed and strength in barging runs, while Graham Williams covered an enormous amount of ground, both back and forth.
Andy Leslie roved incessantly and was usually on hand when the breakdown occurred. His liaison with ‘Nectar’ was also important, as they worked variations of the dummy half, from well placed scrummages, which kept the Magpies guessing.
Gray and Stephens both covered diligently and were never afraid to take their opposite number on. Gray certainly had the measure of Peter Hobdell and ‘Noddy’ ran around Dennis Smith on several occasions, with a side-step and a smart flick of the hips.
Overall, the backs would have taken great pride in complete domination of that phase of the game. They were positive, even to the extent of often running the ball from inside their own 25. The Magpies could only find solace in some sound work by individuals in the forward pack, which kept Wellington working hard throughout the game.
Further wins were posted against Waikato (16-14, Athletic Park), Auckland (19-12, Eden Park) and then, in preparation for their Ranfurly Shield challenge, a 22-12 home victory over the ‘Naki.
An incredible crowd of 30,000 had turned up at Eden Park on September 19th, the huge attendance an illustration of the pulling-power of young Bryan Williams, making his first appearance at home since the South African tour. Malcolm Dick, Graham Thorne and Ronald Anthony Ulrich (08/02/1944-) were all back in the Auckland team also.
Wellington versus Taranaki. (Above) Owen Stephens, loses his footing in the attempted tackle of Terry Heppell. (Left) Gary Weinberg props and looks for support. Making the tackle is again, Terry Heppell.
Pools of water covered the surface of Athletic Park on the Friday before the Taranaki game, but 5,000 turned up to watch some fine rugby, the two sides producing 31 points between them.
In the wet and greasy conditions, Wellington had too much speed around the Park in an impressive dress rehearsal for their shield bid. In a game that never quite descended into kick-and-chase, a style that would have been justified in the conditions, given the usual impeccable service from ‘Nectar’, Wellington always tried to run the ball and in doing so, established a superiority that Taranaki could not match.
Ian Matheson Eliason (06/06/1945-24/02/2019) climbed extremely high in the line-outs, and the strength of John McEldowney in wrestling it from Wellington arms in many mauls, secured the major source of Taranaki ball. But the driving of the home forwards in the loose took the sting out of the Taranaki pack, despite their winning plentiful possession.
Although Al Keown, Dennis Waller and, at No. 2, Kerry McDonald, snaffled some ball, the home side were shaded in the line-outs and had to try and bustle the visitors.
Former All Black, Bill Currey, leaps high through the tackle of John Dougan (10) and Andy Leslie to score a fine try for Taranaki.
The Wellington loosie’s effectively upset any moves the Naki backs may have attempted, none more impressive than Wayne Nicholls. He surged through with the tacklers and some of Wellington’s best ruck ball came after his grounding.
There was some extremely good handling by the Wellington backs with the slippery ball, especially 18-year-old, Joe Karam, back from injury and stepping in for Gerald Kember at the last minute. ‘Clock’ was often the Lions most dangerous attacking back and scored a try, two conversions and two penalties for a personal tally of 13 points.
Capital fans were a little shocked when winger, Dave McGee, crossed early for the Naki. A poor clearing kick from Dougan in the opening minute was responsible for the try. But it took the Lions just two minutes to reply. Robert Gray cantered up the left wing and centre-kicked, with Al Keown up to hit Terry Heppell in the tackle. In the ruck Taranaki were penalised and Karam goaled from 35 yards.
Dougan became villain turned hero when grubber kicking through for Karam to collect the ball and score after 12 minutes. His misadventures would continue all afternoon. During the first half he seemed to have a predilection for using the grubber kick, which by the second when he started slamming the ball towards the sidelines, helped tire the Taranaki pack.
Two minutes after Karam’s try, Gary Weinberg scored when Heppell was again caught in possession and the ball was then fumbled on the line by McGee. Weinberg pounced.
A try to Kerry Hurley and a penalty by Heppell had the scores tied at nine apiece, before Taranaki took the lead through a fine try by former All Black winger, Bill Currey. Faced with Dougan and Leslie on defence, he leapt spectacularly high over the pair and scored in the corner. Taranaki led by 12-9 at the break.
The second spell, played in constant drizzle, belonged to the Wellington forwards, who were able to control possession just a shade better. Gareth Head was titanic.
Six minutes into the second half, they regained the lead and from then on, were never headed. Joe Karam ran the blind and passed on to Terry McCashin, who drove through some poor tackles to score. Karam converted.
‘Clock’ also converted a try by Graham Williams, who had shown some considerable determination in making the touchdown and then, in the last minute of play, converted an easy penalty to take the home-side out to 22-12.
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On the same afternoon, Canterbury defeated arch South Island rival, Otago, by 16-12, ensuring that Wellington would have a Ranfurly Shield match four days later on October 1st. This created a bit of a headache for Bill Freeman; Should he stick with Karam for the following or bring Kember (should he be fully recovered from his hip injury) back in?
His dilemma was nothing like the one which had faced the Canterbury selector-coaches, Stewart and Dixon. When the AB's returned, they had three challenges left; Southland, Otago, Wellington. Should they go with the greater experience and strength of McCormick, Wyllie, Hopkinson, Cottrell or Burns? Should they stick with the younger men who, in the All Blacks absence, had developed so promisingly?
“We had trouble integrating our All Blacks back into the team. Some of them were jaded after the South African tour. Then again, some of them hadn’t played for a while. There were no Canterbury players in the fourth test team for instance and some of them had put on weight.”
Ian Penrose (Shield Fever), Lindsay Knight, 1980
The Otago and Wellington games proved to be heart-stopper’s for the Canterbury faithful. Otago led by 9-0 at half-time, courtesy of three penalties by Laurie Mains. Grimly, the Cantabs battled back in the second spell, gradually taking charge to notch tries by Penrose and Cottrell, Fergi McCormick contributing 10 points with the boot.
The Wellington match proved even more thrilling. 20,000 turned up mid-week to watch - in the steady drizzle - the talented Wellington side launch its absorbing challenge against Canterbury.
After only seven minutes, Wellington took a 3-0 lead. Canterbury stand-off, Doug Bruce, put in a loose speculator, which was fielded by Dick Cleland, who fed the ball on to Gary Weinberg. The defence was slow as the hard-running Weinberg positioned Robert Gray, on the left wing, sending him on an unstoppable run to the corner.
Action from the Otago Ranfurly Shield challenge. Fergi McCormick evades Otago No. 8, Lindsay Clark. Rob Roy is the other Otago player, with support coming from Cottrell, Wyllie and Davis.
For the first three-quarters of the match, Wellington had Canterbury rattled. For the final 20 minutes, Canterbury gained something of it’s usual pattern and the challengers hung on tenaciously, miraculously in defence.
The Wellington lead may well have been bigger, for in the first half, they came narrowly close to further scores. An attempted dropped goal by ‘Darcy’ smashed into the crossbar and Joe Karam failed with five attempts at goal, though none of the kicks were easy. And mid way through the half, all of the Wellington players were convinced that Graham Williams had scored.
Bob Gray banged an up-and-under towards the Canterbury line. With typical disregard for any resulting injury, Williams fielded it spectacularly on the run and appeared to make the line in a huddle of red and black jerseys. But in the huddle, referee, John Pring, disallowed the try.
But Canterbury too, had it’s near misses, particularly in the second spell, when they had a huge territorial advantage. Alister Hopkinson came close in one mighty charge and with 20 minutes left, a 45 yard penalty by McCormick hit the crossbar.
Wayne Cottrell seemed to have the Wellington line at his mercy, but slipped over on the greasy turf. Immediately, there was an infringement and it was from this scrum that the match’s final, agonising drama was played out.
When the scrum packed down, it was obvious what needed to happen. For Wellington, it was 1967 all over again, Canterbury’s only chance to salvage the match and the shield was to go for the dropped goal.
But Doug Bruce and Wayne Cottrell, who had even dropped a goal in a test match, reneged, as ‘Scales’ Davis was looking for someone willing to attempt the pot and save the game.
A private snapshot of ‘Fungus’ McCormick as he leaves Lancaster Park, the hero once again to the Canterbury faithful, on hand to congratulate him following his shield rescuing job against Wellington.
“Give me the bloody thing, I’ll kick it,” came a voice from the back. And so it was Super Fergi who took up the challenge and duly sent the ball on its course, through a couple of despairing Wellington hands, not all the far away from charging the kick down.
This whole Ranfurly Shield thing had turned a bit sour for me, heading on, as I was, toward the ripe old age of eight.
Hawkes Bay had surrendered the trophy…to Canterbury. Wellington had drawn with, therefore not won the amulet…from Canterbury. Canterbury had given Wellington a right old walloping earlier in the year. The season before I had to watch on as the indignity of the North being beaten by the South was played out right before my very eyes.
Fucking Canterbury, I would have thought, like an adult.
But such is life when you haven’t yet reached double-digits and when I went to school on Thursday, October 2nd, 1970, I discovered - through my classmate, Donald Williams, nephew of the Wellington captain, Graham - that the Lions would be back on the Park on Saturday, for a final season outing, against the Centurions club.
And Donald’s Uncle Graham would be playing his 100th game for Wellington.
Bloody hell, I would have thought, like an adult. I wondered how much whinging I’d need to do to try and get that one across the line with my father?
Strangely, absolutely none at all.
“Dad, could we possibly go…”
“To the Centurions game tomorrow? Absolutely we can. All the All Blacks from the South African trip will be playing for the Centurions. We need to go and show them our support for fronting up to the Springboks! Not like some of their bloody mates I could name.”
Of course.
Anyway, it was a fantastic, festival-type match, with Wellington running out the winners in the end by 31-29. ‘Noddy’ and ‘Nectar’ scored a brace each, with Bob Gray, Gary Weinberg and Dick Cleland bagging a try apiece. The ‘Clock’ banged over five conversions.
Owen Stephens (above), the last time I'd see him in action was against the Centurions club. (Right) Alan Sutherland of the Opawa club and Marlborough.
Ged Kember was fullback for the multi-coloured Centurions, the team also featuring recently returned All Blacks; Bill Davis, Ian MacRae, Bryan Williams, Wayne Cottrell, Earle Kirton, Brian Lochore, Colin Meads, Alan Richard Sutherland (04/01/1944-04/05/2020), Tom Lister, Neil Thimbleby, Bruce McLeod and Alister Hopkinson. Lin Davis and Kel Tremain made up the rest of the side.
My fathers two great mates, both well retired, Nev MacEwan and Mick Williment, were listed in the reserves for the Centurions, along with ex-Manawatu half-back, Don McCaskie and Alan Sutherland’s brother, Ray. All had played over 100 matches for their province.
Their 29 points - usually enough to win a game of rugby, but not on this occasion - was made up by tries to Sutherland, Williams, Kirton and MacRae. Ged Kember converted all four and added three penalty goals.
And with that, the curtain was brought down on the 1970 rugby season.
I’d only made the Park on three occasions; Wellington/NZ Universities, All Black trials, Wellington/Centurions, but there was way enough in that to digest for the years ahead.
Incidentally, the last of these matches, as it was the season swan song, meant that it was the last time I’d get to see ‘Noddy’ Stephens (moved to Sydney), Gary Weinberg (moved to Auckland), and Terry McCashin (entered the hotel trade) in a Wellington jersey.
Owen Stephens disillusionment at not being selected for the Republic and a business opportunity which arose through his employ as an insurance salesman, took him across the Tasman, where eventually he would join Des Connor and Ted Jessop as the only others to play Rugby Union for both New Zealand and Australia (Wallaby #562).
He began the 1971 year playing club rugby for St George in Sydney and then – fulfilling a long held desire – trialled for the Rugby League side of the same name. His father Mortimer ‘Monty’ Stephens had played the game professionally during the 1930’s. After beginning his career with Auckland and scoring twice against the 1934 Australians, Monty arrived at St Helens in Northern England the following February as a 21 year old left winger, with a rap as being ‘speedy, with a baffling sidestep’. He would later play for the Rochdale Hornets and Bradford Northern.
Owen had made a great fist of his trial with St. George and would have been signed if not for a $6,000 fee exchange requested by the club, which stifled proceedings and ended in Stephens being suspended from returning to Union for 12 months for simply dabbling with ‘the other code’.
Upon re-instatement in 1973, he returned with vigour, scoring two tries on debut for Sydney against ACT. During 1973 and ’74 – in 12 matches for the club – Stephens scored 13 tries. His form was good enough to warrant a New South Wales call-up and he played for the State against the touring Tongans, again scoring a brace. He continued the pattern by scoring twice on test debut for Australia against the Tongans (a 30-12 win at the SCG), earning his second cap in the boil-over, fairytale 11-16 loss at Ballymore the following Saturday.
Stephens then made the Australian side for a tour of Wales and England in November and December of 1973, playing in the 0-24 loss to Wales in Cardiff. Injury prevented him taking his place in the side beaten 3-20 by England, but in 1974 he played twice against the touring All Blacks to round out his International career. He was recalled to the International side following the first test loss in Sydney and the 16-16 scoreline recorded in the second test was the only blemish to the All Blacks otherwise 100% tour winning ratio.
He retained his spot for the final test back in Sydney, but once again the New Zealanders were back to their dominant and winning ways, Stephens old Wellington team-mate and namesake, Ian, scoring one of the three tries posted in a 16 points to 6 victory.
In 1975, Owen Stephens again switched codes, turning out for the Parramatta Eels and despite scoring a then record of four tries in an NRL match against South Sydney and a stint at Wakefield Trinity, was continually hampered by leg injuries, eventually retiring from the sport in 1977.
Gary Weinberg, who had made 27 appearances for the Wellington Lions between 1968-1970, turned up in the famous blue and black of the Ponsonby club, early in 1971. With Malcolm Dick having retired and Teroi Tataurangi injured, he was soon drafted into the Auckland squad, playing 26 times for that union over the next two seasons.
In 1971, he played in every match for the Auks, at either second five-eighth or centre (where it was inferred by many that this was his best position), in what would be a crazy and tumultuous season for the blue and white’s.
55,000 had turned up to watch Auckland take on the British Lions, an atmosphere as intense as the first test in Dunedin, which appeared to have rattled the tourists. As the lighter Auckland pack gained surprising parity with their counterparts, the home-side had chances to win the match, but it appeared difficult to understand the tactics of the inside backs.
Peter Murdoch kicked too much and Weinberg seemed to have an obsession with cutting back inside. Little effort was made to use the talented three-quarter line of Bryan Williams, Ken Carrington and Dave Palmer. The ‘lackadaisical’ Lions held on to win by 19-12.
But a month later, sorrow turned to elation, as Auckland went to Christchurch and - against all expectations - burgled the Ranfurly Shield off the Cantab’s. But after just one successful defence against neighbouring Counties (17-8), the trophy was on it’s way again, surrendered to North Auckland in one of the more famous/infamous shield matches in history.
McCashin made seven appearances as an All Black on the 1968 tour to Australia, scoring just the one try in a 29-3 win of NSW Country in Newcastle. In 1972, he appeared 11 times for King Country, including that union's match against the touring Wallabies. There was then a five year break in his representative career, but in 1977, aged 33 and now based in Picton, he played three matches for Marlborough, which brought his overall first class tally, spanning 15 seasons, to 93.
In 1981, Terry McCashin founded the country's first craft brewery, McCashin’s Brewery, in Nelson. He owned land in the Port Hills in Christchurch and started negotiating, in 2016, with the Summit Road Society, a protection society, about the sale of that land. The Summit Road Society purchased the 233 hectares (580 acres) in October 2018 from McCashin's estate.
New Zealand National Soccer League, 1970
When the National Soccer League was launched in 1970, it became the first national league for any sport in New Zealand. It was also a league in the purest meaning of the word, as it involved clubs playing each other twice, on a home and away basis. Two points were awarded for a win, and one for a draw. The club with the greatest number of points was declared the champion. The league was also open and clubs could be relegated from it and promoted to it.
The league in 1970 involved eight teams. Three clubs came from the Northern League, three came from the Central League while the four clubs from The Southern League (Christchurch City, Rangers, Shamrock and Technical) decided to back a new club called Christchurch United in the new competition.
Auckland's Blockhouse Bay (with 22 points from 10 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses) won the inaugural league on goal difference from Eastern Suburbs and were subsequently crowned as New Zealand Champions for the 1970 season. Founded in 1948, Blockhouse Bay also won the 1970 Chatham Cup.
The final was the first all-North Island final, and was also the first final to require a replay.
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All White, Ian Ormond (pictured at right), scored a goal in the Chatham Cup Final Replay at Newmarket Park in Auckland, as Blockhouse Bay defeated Western Suburbs of Wellington by 3-2, to claim the trophy (and do the double) in 1970.
Hogsnort Rupert win 1970 Loxene Gold Disc Award.
On October 22nd, at the Grand Opera House in Wellington, it was a local band, Hogsnort Rupert, who successfully took out the 1970 Loxene Golden Disc Award (Group and Gold Disc), for their very popular single "Pretty Girl".
Originally formed in 1968 as Hogsnort Rupert's Original Flagon Band, they shortened their name after their second album in 1970.
There was no middle ground with Hogsnort Rupert, people either loved them or they hated them. But following the release of "Pretty Girl", the Wellington pseudo skiffle pop band’s No.1 hit, everybody knew them.
They were known for their light, humorous brand of music, which produced several charting singles, including "Pretty Girl", the biggest selling single in New Zealand in 1970, which sold 55,000 copies and out-ranked both The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel.
Craig Scott took out the solo section with his single "Lets Get a Little Sentimental".
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The LP cover for the 1970 Loxene Golden Disc Awards. The Awards were the forerunner of today’s NZ Music Awards. Named after Loxene shampoo, they were co-founded by the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC) and Reckitt & Colman, a soap powder manufacturer and were first presented in 1965.
Full list of finalists in the 1970 Loxene Golden Disc Awards
QUINCY CONSERVE - "Ride the Rain". THE FOURMYULA - "Nature". SUZANNE - "Yesterday, When I was Young". THE KAL-Q-LATED RISK - "I'll Be Home". HAMILTON COUNTRY BLUEGRASS BAND - "Carolina On My Mind". DAVID CURTIS - "Wheel of Fortune".
THE REVIVAL - "Viva Bobby Joe". SHANE - "Natural Man". THE INBETWEENS - "Boom Sha-La-La-Lo". RAY COLUMBUS - "Travelling Singing Man". CRAIG SCOTT - "Lets Get a Little Sentimental". HOGSNORT RUPERT - "Pretty Girl".
(Left) The official invitation to attend the 1970 Loxene Golden Disc Awards at the Grand Opera House in Wellington and (Right), winners, Hogsnort Rupert perform "Pretty Girl" at the awards ceremony.
Listen to "Pretty Girl" - at left
Hogsnort Rupert front man, Alec Wishart and song-writer, Dave Luther, both ex-pat Englishman, were, in the finest traditions, football fanatics.They played football for Wellington Diamond United and then often cranked out their sound in the clubrooms afterwards.
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"It was great, we were young, playing football and in the band, having a few beers. We played at the Hungarians' [Football Club] once for free beer and goulash."
Dave Luther.