I’d concluded that 1971 had been a most interesting and entertaining year, most probably the best of the eight I’d spent on planet earth. I didn’t bank on 1972 being bigger and brighter in every respect.
I actually cannot recall how I took the news that the family would be on the move south. I’d never even been to the South Island before and I was kind of happy with most aspects of my life, holed up in Kilbirnie, Wellington, enjoying school, playing rugby for Ories (I was over last season’s disappointments by now).
But at sometime very early in the new year, I found myself and family down at the docks in Wellington, waiting to board the inter island ferry, Aramoana, bound for Picton. My father’s work mate, John ‘Kihi-kihi’ Clarke had come down to see us off. He was a funny bastard and Sindy and I loved him.
The ferry, Wahine (centre picture), on it’s side in Wellington Harbour, near Steeple Rock (left), its final resting place. In the foreground is the suburb of Seatoun.
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Leaving Wellington Harbour, I was completely fascinated when we sailed past the remains of the Wahine, sticking out of the water in the channel, where it had run aground almost four years prior. ‘Wahine Day’ is legendary in the capital city. It was a day from hell, loaded with mayhem and chaos, caused by a tropical cyclone (Giselle) colliding headlong with a ferocious antarctic blast, right above the entrance to the harbour.
While roof’s were torn from houses and cars and trucks overturned by hurricane winds, the Lyttleton-Wellington ferry, after being struck by a rogue wave, which took out all navigational controls, ran aground on Barrett’s Reef, also at the harbour entrance. 51 lives were lost several hours later, following a call by the captain to abandon ship.
The remains of Cargill’s Castle, on a St. Clair hilltop, overlooking the southern ocean. Popular but dangerous.
By 1972, it stood derelict and exposed to the wildest of southern elements. It was a popular play spot, but also one in which ‘trespassing’ was always an issue. At least twice I recall running across the hilltops, beside cliffs which dropped to the rocks below, with the local constabulary in hot pursuit. Luckily for us kids though, Johnny Oskam knew a few short-cuts through fences and stuff and we escaped capture on both occasions.
My mother was particularly discouraging of my forging any sort of friendship with Johnny. A few times a cop car would just turn up at their house a few doors down from us, his older brother, Mark, constantly in trouble with the long arm of the law.
Sindy and I attended Corstophine School, in the neighbouring state house suburb and before too long, the boys in my Standard 3 class were talking about the forthcoming rugby season. Technically speaking, the closest rugby club, the one all the school-mates were going to play for, was the Southern club, home-ground, Bathgate Park, just down the bottom of the hill on Hillside Road.
I was quite excited about this. Southern were black and white hooped jerseys and black shorts, my grandfather would be pleased. The current All Black full-back, Laurie Mains, played for the Southern club. It all seemed a most natural and logical fit.
And on the subject of full-backs, on March 2nd, New Zealand lost one of the greats, in fact an early colossus of All Black rugby; William ‘Billy’ Joseph (or by his nickname, ‘Carbine’) Wallace (1878-1972).
Billy was as Wellington as a pair of gumboots. Born in Wellington, attended Mt. Cook School, he was the eighth All Black from the Poneke club and as a goalkicker - and because of his exceptional pace, a prolific try scorer - ‘Carbine’ Wallace was the first New Zealand rugby player to amass scoring records, delighting statisticians. He was the first New Zealander to top 500 first class points and his 379 points for the All Blacks (in 51 matches) stood as the record for more than 50 years, until eclipsed by Don Clarke.
Billy Wallace, photographed in 1958 (National Library).
One of his first representative games for Wellington in 1897 (against Otago at Carisbrook, remembered forever as ‘The Butchers’ Match’), is one of the most notorious of all rugby matches ever to be played in Aotearoa. Bad blood had stirred between the two teams and as the game came to an end, with Wellington ahead by 10 points to 6, the huge gallery was united in yelling ‘Butchers! Slaughterers!’ at members of the visiting team.
The irony was that members of the Wellington team were slaughtermen from the Gear Meat Company in Petone and/or the meat works in Ngauranga. They were led by All Black William “Offside” McKenzie, who along with his wing-forward mate, Willie Hardcastle, was regarded as the particular villain of the piece. McKenzie already had something of a reputation, described by one commentator as; “inclined to be a little hot-headed and rash when aglow with the spirit of battle.”
There were cackles of derision aimed at McKenzie from all around the ground. It was even alleged that Duncan smirked at him as they passed, Duncan on his way to attempt the conversion.
Behind the posts, McKenzie advised his team of his new game plan, which basically rendered his backline inactive for the remainder of the afternoon; “Drop your man without fall when they have the ball, find the line when we have it. We’re going in with the forwards.”
An artists impression of the infamous ‘Butcher’s’ match in 1897.
He hauled Willie Hardcastle - as hard a forward as had ever pulled on a boot - out as an extra wing-forward. If ever a tiger had roamed loose around a rugby field, it was Hardcastle and heaven help any Otago player who stood in the path of the Butchers that afternoon.
They lost three men (knocked out) throughout the course of the match and used every reserve they had. Every scrum was a head-on meeting of mad mountain goats, every line-out a wrestling match. The forward rushes as ruthless as any in the history of the game.
“Jesus Christ”, I thought. “That be Keith Murdoch!”
I’d already been around a few rugby players in my day, on the sideline, stand or clubrooms. Ken Gray was a big man. Kel Tremain was a big man. My father’s former club-mate and All Black, Neven MacEwan, was a huge man, with hands the size of which I’d never encountered.
An almost carbon-copy of the image which half terrified me, the legend, Keith Murdoch, in his Zingari-Richmond jersey, piercing eyes and Zapata moustache.
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Murdoch gave away a few inches to both Tremain and MacEwan in height, but he was a barrel of a man with a 50” chest. In fact, it was rumoured that in 1970, when Murdoch made the team to tour South Africa, there had never been a custom-fit blazer made so large for any All Black in history.
But, for such a big man, ‘Keefy’ was surprisingly mobile in the loose and the tales of his Herculean strength (as previously discussed) came in an era where there was little by the way of gym training with weights.
Lindsay Clark, who had propped the Otago scrum against the French (1968), the Welsh (1969) and the British Lions (1971), was a resident of Sutcliffe Street, in the suburb of St. Clair Park.
It was most likely a combination of both, but the JPR factor must have been involved, as I began playing the game with my socks around my ankles. If I could have grown mutton-chops I most certainly would have, but the ability to do so was at least a decade away.
I made two important rugby-community related discoveries. 1. Lindsay Clark, the Southern and Otago prop, lived on the same street as we did, Sutcliffe Street in Dunedin. Occasionally I passed his house on my way to school and he was getting in his car/getting his car from the garage and heading off to work himself. He was a banker from memory. I would always say good morning to him. He would always return the salutation with friendly acknowledgement. Nice guy.
Although playing for Pirates, I wasn’t convinced that this was the team I would support in Dunedin senior rugby. I was still quite miffed over the not playing for Southern thing and actually, I quite liked the idea of lending them my invaluable support, they were the true local club side.
2. Directly across the road, right beside the Dutch family, the Ossebaar’s, was an older brick house, very large, at the end of what would have once been a causeway. It was surrounded by newer houses, so I could only assume that it was once the only house on the hill in that vicinity, probably a farm house.
I had noticed a couple of rugby jerseys hanging on the clothes-line and then, as the club season began, a black jersey with No. 9 on it (and whites shorts and black socks with white tops). I couldn’t see the front of the jersey, so couldn’t identify an emblem, but it was exactly the same as my own Pirates strip. But the Pirates half-back was Lin Colling - if it were a Pirates uniform - but then I thought, it could be senior ‘B’ perhaps.
Bugger me if Eric Ossebaar didn’t inform me that it would be Lin Colling’s because his grandparent’s owned and lived in the house and his grandmother did all his washing. Two Otago representatives on my street. One from Southern, one from Pirates. Conundrum.
Then, bugger me again if I didn’t make the Otago primary school reps, along with two team-mates, James Harford and Stephen Cartwright. Although, to be fair, it was called an Otago side, but made up from only Dunedin-based kids and only assembled to play one, ten-minute-each-way game. James was a fast and strong winger who scored a bucket load of tries.
Stephen was my father’s favourite player in the team. He was hooker and each time the half-back put the ball in (whichever half-back), Stephen would lash out and boot the opposition hooker in the shins. The yelps and squeals of these poor rakes was enough to earn the ginger headed Stephen his rep spot.
We only played the one match, against Southland, but it was on the hallowed turf of Carisbrook, a match we unfortunately lost 0-4. Time was almost up in this all-important fixture and the Southland left winger, who’d looked dangerous every time he got the ball, finally evaded James and headed for the corner. It was OK, I was fast and had him covered. Until he fleetingly paused, accelerated and swerved wide all-in-one move and rounded my desperate lunge to score in the corner.
It was a long and silent car ride back to St. Clair. The point had already been made that I had missed the tackle which led to the winning try. I was OK with it, I was thinking more about the giraffe legs of a guy called Gary Seear that I’d literally just run into in the tunnel at the ‘Brook. Our match was the curtain-raiser to the Dunedin Premiership Final. Southern won.
It was the basis of a calculated move to have a chat with Lin Colling though, the fact that we both played for Pirates and Otago. One Sunday when I saw his car was there, I nipped across to his grandparents for a bit of a yarn. Again, he was a very nice man, very quietly spoken and congenial. I got in trouble with my mother however, on a parental charge of ‘disturbing the neighbours’.
Pirates, Otago and soon to be New Zealand half-back, Lin Colling, formerly of Cromwell.
I was only nine, I thought that was how one practiced the art of socialisation, but our meetings were thereafter confined to gesturing and a tip of the hat.
My father bought the publication Rugby News every other week and I was able to keep up with the going’s-on in the club scene in other regions, chiefly in Wellington, but also the Napier-Hastings competition, which I followed fervently. Rugby News was also a grand source of new ‘rugby men’.
In Wellington, I was a University fan, although I kept a close eye on Petone (largely because of Nectar). I noted that on April 15th, University rallied late in the match to beat Poneke by 20-18 at the Park. Twig scored one of the students three tries. While Petone thumped Titahi Bay by a cricket score (37-0), Nectar had gone off during the second half with a head injury.
Speaking of cricket, I had developed my interest in the sport as naturally, like rugby, all the influential men in my immediate life would talk endlessly of cricket over the months of summer and early autumn.
My father had played senior cricket for Collegian’s in Wellington, right up until the end of the 1970/71 season. He only stopped, at the age of 33, because we moved to Dunedin to live and I guess, having to join a new club and all, was just a bridge too far.
I remember a few summer Saturdays circa 1969-71, playing with a few other son’s of team members for a few hours (seemed like forever) around various senior cricket grounds; The basin, Anderson’s Park, Karori Park, Kilbirnie Park…
I discovered there was a trophy called the Plunket Shield, in some ways the cricket equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield. The rules of this game were many and mind-bending.
The New Zealand side toured the West Indies during February-April, playing five test matches, all drawn. We had an opening batsmen called Glenn Turner, (who was by chance, from Dunedin, so his exploits were oft recoded in the Otago Daily Times) and he’d knocked up quite a few runs in the series. In fact, he’d scored 672 runs, at a staggering average of 96.0.
In the first test in Kingston, he carried his bat through the first New Zealand innings, ending on 223 not out. A second innings 95 in the second test at Port-of-Spain, was followed by 259 in the fourth in Georgetown, in an opening partnership with Aucklander, Terry Jarvis, which realised a quite staggering 387 for the first wicket (a NZ test record).
Glenn Turner batted for 16 minutes short of 12 hours and hit only 22 boundaries in the 759 balls faced, in what was the second longest innings in test history. His personal marathon, of sorts, saw him strike at only 34.12, as he proceeded to grind down the West Indian attack, on a lifeless and placid pitch.
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Glenn Maitland Turner - a new city, a new sporting hero and a new sport to follow.
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I had a new sport and sporting hero. The fact that he was from Dunedin and had long hair was an absolute bonus. I was even more impressed because my father said he was a wanker who’d rather go and play in Pommy land for money than play for his country. In reality, he was a most professional cricketer, with considerable natural ability. Single-minded in his pursuit of runs, unashamedly ambitious and often impatient of amateur administrators in New Zealand.
There was a bit of Keefy about this guy, not huge on the press and not afraid to call a spade a spade. Was this some sort of Dunedin thing, I wondered?
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By the third week of Wellington club rugby, following a trouncing of Onslow by 46-3, Petone went (where else?) but the top of the senior championship. I was relieved to read that Nectar played the game and scored a try, so his head knock can’t have been too bad.
It was noted in the Sports Post though, that the Onslow forwards had subjected him to a lot of pressure, with Nectar’s opposite, Murray Niven, chiming in also. Was there a form dip happening here? Worse still, arch-rival, Dave Henderson and his Axemen buddies were also three from three, having annihilated the usually strong MSP side by 27-3.
And speaking of form dips, University were below the line and inexplicably beaten by WCOB by 16-18, in the early game on Athletic Park. Squandering a 6-0 half-time lead, the students were put to the sword by the boot of someone I’d never heard of, called Grant Smith. I hadn’t heard of the University try scorer either. G Mourie?
Fourteen days later, Henderson scored a try and was impressive in his sides 33-22 win over the hapless Onslow. Damn! I didn’t want Nectar losing his rep spot. But Petone were more impressive in demolishing Athletic by 38-17 and Nectar had ‘gone particularly well’, as had Darcy Dougan, celebrating his inclusion in the recently named All Black squad.
Two classic examples of what a 'rugby-man' would look like. Cut out with absolute precision. Left - Dave Henderson of the Wellington club and Ian 'Nectar' Stevens (Petone), both courtesy of an early season edition of 'Rugby News', 1972.
I was mortified to read that University had been beaten again, this time by Marist St. Pats, with rep winger (and now Junior All Black), ‘Batts’ Batty scoring two tries in their 22-18 victory. Fellow Junior, ‘Clock’ Karam, played a fine game and was instrumental in one of Batty’s tries, when the winger latched onto his clever cross kick and scampered round behind the posts.
Victoria University was in the news that week for a more resounding reason however, when Political Science student, Tony Brunt, formed what is still considered the world's first national-level environmentalist (or ‘green’) party; Values. The party promoted social renewal, which incorporated restoring a respectful relationship to nature.
Early manifestos sketched a progressive, semi-utopian blueprint for New Zealand's future as an egalitarian, ecologically sustainable society. From its beginning, the Values Party emphasised proposing alternative policies, rather than taking only an ‘opposition-ist’ stance to the ruling parties.
All this new fangled long hair thing was having an influence beyond the rugby field, although at nine I had things around the wrong way. But there was a general election coming up in November.
On the topic of rugby, 1972 would turn out to be quite some season, the busiest in NZ rugby history. By way of an enquiry into the recent failures against South Africa and the Lions, for the first time, an All Black team was assembled (no trial) and were sent on an internal tour.
Welsh rugby writer, the most revered J B G Thomas, says in his book, “The Avenging All Blacks”, that the Kiwi challenge of 1972-73 was launched the moment the victorious British Lions roared into the skies above Auckland Airport, late on Sunday night, August 15th, 1971.
Although his comments regarding New Zealand rugby were generally scathing and/or condescending, I have little doubt on this occasion that he was not wrong. The tour had proved two things, whether New Zealander’s liked it or not; the All Blacks were no longer invincible at home and British rugby had improved beyond measure with coaching, tactics and application.
It was to fair to say that New Zealand rugby had become stereotyped and inflexible and without the backs experienced and talented enough to make full use of the hard won ball, which was still the hallmark of AB play.
But in 1970 and 1971, the ‘Boks and Lions had both taught themselves to scrummage correctly, to combat the All Blacks in the line-out and most importantly, to get up to the rucks and mauls quickly and to fight for possession. Both sides had further endorsed the NZ initiative of quickly getting the ball to the wings and counter attacking, especially from full-back. They also both possessed accurate and consistent place kickers.
None of this was anything startlingly new, no matter who takes the credit. In what one could term the modern game as it was in 1972, the British resurgence was modelled on the marvelling at the rugby played by the All Blacks during the Fred Allen era; a continuous supply of ball from a power forward pack, orthodox back movements and reliable goal kicking. And most of that was learned from the 1959 Lions and Allen’s own experiences with the famous war-time side, the Kiwi’s.
The defeat to the Springboks had been disappointing, the All Blacks desperate to win their first ever test series in the republic, especially after having routed most provinces and going through unbeaten outside of the internationals. The loss at home to the Lions was a bitterer pill and had in essence, started a revolution.
Journalists, critics, the public and indeed, representatives within the corridor of power in New Zealand rugby circles, were all looking for answers and seeking heads for the chopping block following the Lions departure. Obviously, as convenor of selectors, Ivan Vodanovich was the one feeling the weight of all this soured opinion the most, although the NZRFU clearly did not believe that all the blame for failure could be attributed simply to him or his methodology.
Therefore he was almost miraculously returned as as Chairman of Selectors, with Bob Duff of Canterbury and Jackie Gleeson of the Manawatu (a new national selector) in place of Pat Walsh who had decided to step down. Before the election however, Vodanovich stated that he would not be available for the end of year tour to the British Isles, so the post of coach was wide open again and the cause of much speculation and a good deal of differing of some of those opinions.
Gleeson, who had been a North Island selector since 1970, was a bit of an extrovert and known to favour the running game. Duff of course, was an ex-AB captain, a South Island selector and a disciple of the forward approach.
The internal tour was viewed as the first steps toward rehabilitation following these recent disappointments and it was Jack Gleeson given the reins of the young team, with many of the faces of even ’71 gone, let alone 1970, which had marked the end of an era for so many.
The internal tourists were largely based on 1971 form (and availability), so there was a considerable amount of new names amongst them (especially in the backs) and a new captain in Ian Kirkpatrick. Sid Going, Bryan Williams, Bevan Holmes, Keith Murdoch, Sam Strahan, Ron Ulrich and Alan Sutherland had all toured South Africa in 1970. Kirkpatrick, Strahan and Going had been All Blacks since 1967. Sutherland since the Australian tour in 1968.
While considered a noble offering, which took the famous All Blacks to regional centres, most questioned the validity of such a tour. What was it all about? The ghosts of 1970 and 1971 should have still be haunting those who appeared opposed to such a venture. Not only was it a revenue stream for minor unions, it gave the chosen players a quick jaunt around the land and a chance to impress the selectors before that big, big which lay season ahead.
The ultimate eye was always focused on the end of year tour to North America, the United Kingdom and France and the finding of workable combinations on-field and team-building camaraderie off it. It was a fresh beginning, an even playing field for the tried and proven hardened travellers, yet also the up and coming group of young players who would wear the fern throughout the 70’s. The internal tour was indicative of the intensity of preparations for the UK and was the first trial for that plane ticket.
The 21 players selected were initially vying for test spots against the Australians, due to tour in August and September, with that second eye on giving the exposed underbelly of New Zealand rugby some added experience before the Great Britain trip ahead.
Two newcomers to All Black colours (From left) Bruce Robertson of Counties and Duncan Hales from Canterbury. And two who would't play for them again post the internal tour; Phil Gard of North Otago and Ken Carrington from Auckland.
Internal tourists who had played against the 1971 Lions, subsequently discarded from duty and not required for their country again following this unique tour and the test matches against Australia; Richie Guy (4 tests), Alan McNaughton (3 tests) Ken Carrington (2 tests) and Phil Gard (1 test).
Of those retained, at least even for the Australian series, Kirky and Super Sid, BeeGee, Tane Norton, Pole Whiting and Alan Sutherland would regularly don the black jersey through until the late 70’s.
An exciting newcomer and first time All Black, Bruce John Robertson (09/04/1952-12/05/2023) would become another personal hero as the decade progressed and the player that most friends say I resembled when playing the game during my teenage years. Long blonde hair, speed and socks around my ankles were directly linked by those friends when offering a comparison.
The socks around the ankles was also a JPR thing and used to absolutely infuriate my father. “For christ’s sake,” I’d hear from the sideline, “pull your bloody socks up!” Unfortunately, when two heroes wore their socks around their ankles, there was little chance of them then being gartered.
My grandfather would often remind me that Bruce Robertson was born in Hastings and was Hawkes Bay through and through. I forever considered it a great pity that he never played for the Bay, he would have been a great Magpie.
“Mahora Primary, Heretaunga Intermediate and Hastings Boys High School,” my grandfather would say, he knew Bruce’s father.
He was a Hastings sub-union Ross Shield representative in 1964 and 1965 and in the HBHS 1st XV in 1968 and 1969 (plus Saracens colts) as well as being a fine cricketer and an accomplished track athlete.
With the teaching profession appealing to him, he went to Ardmore Training College in 1970 and by 1971, had shown such promise in the College’s senior team, that he was brought into the Counties side (at second five-eighth) for a match against North Auckland in June.
The Counties coach, Barry Bracewell, saw Robertson playing full-back for Ardmore and immediately recognised that his qualities would be better employed in the centres. As basically a University set-up, his club - and new provincial - side had a liking for throwing the ball around, looking to attack every time they got their hands on the ball.
A successful debut meant his retention for the remainder of the season, but at centre. The 19-year-old made a huge impact as an almost complete unknown, being drafted into the North Island side for the Inter-island clash in New Plymouth, on the same day as Counties epic Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland.
His rise had been so meteoric that when the All Blacks arrived in Great Britain a calendar year later, the British Lions of 1971 either didn’t remember or had never even heard of him. Save Barry John, who was in NZ for the third test and was both scathing and condescending of what he had seen.
Counties were recognised as one of the more dynamic sides in the country and this style of play suited Bruce Robertson to a tee. Every rugby fan loved to watch them, but then equally chastise them when ‘the running game’ produced an exciting brand of rugby, but not necessarily one that would guarantee success, as in WIN.
This was contrary to the opinion of Barry Bracewell. During the same fixture (North Auckland-Counties) a year later in Pukekohe, when Robertson had played in two of the Australian tests, Bracewell gave his star centre a real serve at half-time, insisting he stand deeper and not bring his negative All Black shit into the Counties environment and fucking up his back-line.
The advice and delivery shook up the young 13, who never forgot it and decided upon it, to run (literally) with his own empathic instincts of a similar yearning, thus, almost certainly the seeds were sewn then and there with Robertson becoming the greatest centre in world rugby, 1972-81, bar absolutely no-one (including Mike Gibson, but oh, how I’d love to have watched that pairing).
Other new All Blacks were Trevor James Morris (03/01/1942-), Duncan Alister Hales (22/11/1947-05/01/2024), Hamish MacDonald, ‘Moose’ Whiting, John Dougan and Lin Colling. Sam Strachan was originally selected, but owing to cartilage damage, pulled out and was replaced by another debutant, ‘Legs’ Eliason of Taranaki.
Lin Colling’s inclusion as understudy to Sid Going was an interesting one. Considered one of the best passers of a rugby ball in the land, he got the nod over not only Nectar, but also the player the Cantab fans never stopped promoting as the country’s finest in the position, Lyn Davis. Similarly, John Dougan seemed ahead of Doug Bruce in the fly-half pecking order, again juxtapositioned with the Canterbury viewpoint.
(From left) Trevor Morris (Nelson Bays) and Hamish Macdonald (Canterbury), two more new All Blacks. The true enigma of New Zealand rugby, although at this stage, he/we had no idea what was in store for him...Mr. Keith Murdoch (Otago).
Trevor Morris, aged 30, was plucked from the relative obscurity of a minor union (Nelson Bays) and was very much a surprise choice and the only full-back named in the tour party. Subsequently he appeared in all nine fixtures, racking up 88 points which by today’s standards does not fair favourably by comparison, in the fact that (although kicking duties were shared with Bryan Williams in two early matches), Morris was only able to convert 24 of 62 tries as scored by the team.
BeeGee himself finished atop that list with 12 touchdowns, the nearest to him with seven, was Duncan Hales. A Dannevirke lad, Hales had forced his way into the Canterbury team during the 1971 season, after some excellent performances for his club side, Lincoln College. After just a handful of appearances for the red and blacks, he found himself in the South Island side.
Initially, it appeared that he may have the inside running for the centre berth when the Aussies arrived, but Bruce Robertson found favour with the selectors and Hales was moved onto the wing.
Initially, I was dismayed to discover that ‘Darcy’ Dougan was the only Wellingtonian amongst the newly selected All Blacks, but with four named from Otago (including ‘Keefy’, who only missed the Wanganui match), my loyalty was already being called into question.
Wellington fared little better in the New Zealand Juniors side, as named for an eight-match tour of Australia, which took place simultaneously with big brothers jaunt around Aotearoa. Again, just one full-back was named, that being ‘Clock’ Karam. ‘Batts’ also made the touring team as did another of my favourite players, Hawkes Bay’s Robbie Hunter.
You can see that if you remove the hulking genius, Keith Murdoch, from the equation, my favourite players were generally backs. As a rule, this was true, but I was a big fan of Alan McNaughton, Paul Anderson, Robbie Stuart and naturally, I had the utmost respect for Kirky. Another forward I favoured, whom I was pleased to see had made the Juniors side, was Kenny Stewart.
A few other players would make the cut as full All Blacks in the future, some very soon (Graeme Sims). ‘Clock’ and ‘Batts’ aside, another couple who would do so before the year was out were a rising star from the Ponsonby club in Auckland, Andrew Maxwell Haden (27/10/1950-29/07/2020) and a former star of the track and 1st XV at Te Aute College, Kent King Lambert (23/03/1952-).
Andy Haden was a product of Wanganui and Wanganui Boys College, who’d made the move to Auckland to further his advancement in rugby. His selection for the Juniors tour came on the strength of just two first class matches for Auckland the preceding season and a burgeoning reputation.
Born at Wairoa, Kent Lambert received his primary education at the tiny settlement of Papanui Junction, west of Taihape. In 1971, he ventured to Palmerston North, attending Massey University to obtain a wool degree. He represented North Island Universities, before making four appearances for Manawatu as a flanker. Bulking up over summer, he became a specialist prop and missing just one game on the Juniors tour, gained a reputation as a tough and determined scrummager.
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After dismantling the New Zealand Juniors in Wellington, about to themselves embark on a tour of Australia, the All Blacks swept aside Marlborough (59-10), Mid-Canterbury (52-7), Southland (30-9), Wanganui (39-21), Counties (42-8), North Auckland (33-15), Wairarapa-Bush (38-0) and Manawatu (37-9).
The match against the Juniors was marred by conditions; a blustery northerly, surface water and a greasy ball. Athletic Park. Fux Saik! While intentions to run the ball may have been on the cards, numerous handling lapses (principally by the Juniors), accounted for a lack of points in the first half.
Playing into the wind, the All Blacks went to the break ahead by 10-3, courtesy of a try in the corner to Bryan Williams, conversion judged to perfection in the stiff breeze by Trevor Morris and a second to Bruce Robertson (on debut), who intercepted a pass and raced 70m, outstripping the defence to score. Morris’ conversion, again from wide out, narrowly missed on this occasion.
In fact, Robertson had made quite the impression in his first 40 minutes in black, frequently piercing the defence with the expertise of a master swordsman. Spectators approved, noting also his strength and the ability to change his pace. He looked a truly gifted player.
‘Clock’ Karam then banged over a penalty for the Juniors from 30m out, following a ruck infringement against the All Blacks.
But the AB’s were too strong in the vanguard for their junior counterparts, Murdoch and Graham Whiting particularly impressive, establishing an ascendency that was never overhauled. Their platform was as such that the loosie’s were able to roam, with Kirkpatrick, particularly, menacing in the loose.
Action from the internal tour opener against the New Zealand Juniors in Wellington. Bob Burgess surveys the options, with Bevan Holmes and Kirky in support. Juniors from left; Robbie Hunter, Ken Stewart and Peter Gilbert.
Karam (2) and Morris traded penalties, which had the juniors within four points of the All Blacks, with just 15 minutes to play. This fact appeared to stir the precocious cub to even greater gallantry and the preverbal kitchen sink was thrown at big-brother. The score was the same with five minutes to play, when the senior side were able to turn desperate defence into attack and save themselves from any potential embarrassment.
BeeGee hared up the wing to half way, before centre-kicking, which initially looked (with the wind behind it) to have a bit much mustard on it. But it sat up nicely in the in-goal area and Alan McNaughton, by virtue of his pace, was the benefactor.
Right on full-time, Morris came in as the extra man in a backline move and put Ken Carrington in for the try. The Auckland winger ran round behind the posts and Morris added the extra points.
Bob Burgess had looked tidy at first five-eighth. His tactical kicking was always effective and well judged. Trevor Morris didn’t put a foot wrong. The backline in fact, had shown glimpses of some real skill and finesse.
The 5,000 spectators who had gathered on the bank at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim, roared their approval when the home side scored early against the mighty All Blacks. But hometown celebrations were short-lived as the men in black ran in 12 tries of their own. BeeGee grabbed three (plus a penalty and four conversions) and on debut Lin Colling grabbed a brace.
It was sometime during this week, that I happened to look across at the Colling residence across the way and their was a black jersey with No. 9 on it hanging on the clothes line, a pair of black shorts and blacks socks with two white stripes. I’d established a bit of a repoire with his grandparents by now and was allowed to go and have a closer look. It wasn’t everyday one got to see a real All Black jersey.
The AB juggernaut rolled on through the southern provinces. Bryan Williams bagged another three against Mid-Canterbury and it was the skipper’s turn to grab himself a couple against Southland.
12,000 had turned out in Invercargill on an overcast Saturday afternoon, to watch Southland give it their best shot against the nations top 15. Already depleted by injuries (and then more during the game), they were not able to offer the All Blacks the stern test that they would have expected and required.
But the black forwards turned in a display against opposition renowned and regarded for their honest forward endeavour, that warmed the heart of their most ardent critics. Ian Eliason won many line-outs with high, two handed takes and never shirked his work in the tight.
An experiment in playing Duncan Hales at inside-centre was not overly successful, Hales intent on trying to barge his way through the defensive screen, probably in an effort to set up second phase ball. That and the close marking of the All Blacks three-quarter line stifled any exhilarating back-play, although BeeGee showed glimpses of his ability to beat a man and scored a fine try, scooping up a cross-kick by Burgess and accelerating away from the defence.
The outstanding back on the field was Trevor Morris, who left his mark on the game with a staggering 50m dropped goal.
Bruce Robertson scored three tries against Wanganui, in a spirited encounter in which the home side’s full-back, Bob Barrell, slotted five penalty goals.
Counties were then put to the sword, with Hales, Burgess and Williams scoring a brace each.
Without a doubt though, the most important match of the tour was against the Ranfurly Shield holders, North Auckland. Selectors, Vodanovich, Duff and Gleeson seemed unanimous in their decision that the players in the All Black squad would play against their own home province, which did not appear to be an overly popular move.
Especially in the case of Sid Going having to front up against his beloved North Auckland, it just wasn’t on. Sid voiced his opinion about it.
The crowd of 15,000 were treated to a rip-roaring rugby match of attack and counter-attack (North Auckland know no other way to play the game) as the AB’s ran in four tries to one in winning by 33-15. The power and pace of the All Blacks loose forwards told the story.
But North Auckland provided their share of the thrills also and no-one on the park played better than Sid’s brother, Ken, in his customary role of full-back for the Taniwha. In only the second minute, he sent a towering kick soaring into AB territory, then came into the backline and all but created a try for winger, Les Bradley.
He kicked two penalties in the first spell, the second (closing the gap to 6-9) sent the crowd into delirium. The roof almost came off the Okara Park stand, such were the screams of delight from the home faithful. The game was a little closer than the score might suggest.
One of the ‘finds’ of the tour, the exciting young centre from Counties, Bruce Robertson, slices through a gap in the match against North Auckland. Urlich, Kirkpatrick and Carrington in support. Closest North Aucklander is former All Black reserve, Denis Panther.
While the AB’s were never really not in control, North Auckland - as one would expect - refused to throw in the towel and even at full-time, had the All Blacks pinned back on their goal-line.
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Meanwhile, back in Wellington on the same day, Nectar's Petone side absolutely smashed Poneke by 39-0. The win was even more meritorious with the villager's running in six tries in the driving rain and greasy conditions at Athletic Park. Old-timers exalted in a performance they claimed had rarely been equalled by a club team in Wellington.
The win saw Petone sit atop the Swindale Shield competition, equal with Wellington (who struggled to beat Naenae Old Boys by 22-15) on 15 points.
With Gareth Head and Frank Walker climbing into the early rucks and some considerable line-out domination, Petone quickly raced to top gear, 12 points up after seven minutes. Petone led by 27-0 at half-time, with Nectar having the goal kicking duties in the first spell, knocking over a conversion and a penalty. The sparkling form of Jimmy Brown, weaving through tackles in the mud, dancing down the touch-line as if it were a tightrope, didn’t bode all that well for Twig in my opinion.
Petone were looking totally ominous which would usually be reflected in provincial representation and if one added in Dick Cleland, Bruce Niven even, there was a bit of a midfield congestion issue.
On the other hand, while Dave Henderson had been given the nod for the upcoming match against Manawatu, it was he who was now under pressure with Nectar ‘fair hammering at the door’.
It was reported that Twig’s game had lacked the vitality for which it became so notable in 1971 in the recent rep outing against Wanganui. But in the curtain-raiser on the Park, Twig was the benefactor of a new law change called 'the cricket catch' knock on (which is hopefully self explanatory).
Gerald Kember was in vintage form for University. An acquisition from Canterbury, Alex Matheson, was starting to show some good form in club rugby also. After leading by 17-4 at half-time, with first use of the wind, it looked as if the students might run up a big score against Athletic. But the blue and blacks rallied in the second and were hot on attack with three minutes to go and by now in touch with University on the scoreboard.
As they mounted a third attacking phase, a try looking imminent. But the Twig intercepted a pass, juggled the ball (a knock on under the old laws) and raced 70 metres to score beneath the sticks and make the game safe for the students, at 23-14, once converted by Graham Wallis.
The match was described as 'a first-class example of wet weather rugby in the indifferent conditions'.
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The All Blacks internal tour was rounded out with an eight try, 38-0 romp against Wairarapa-Bush in Masterton and a 37-9 win over neighbouring Manawatu three days later.
Although the margin over victory over the Manawatu was significant, the AB’s had not had things all their own way during the match. The outstanding forward on display was the home side’s open flank, Kevin Eveleigh, who won enough ball to keep his team interested.
Ian Eliason had a fine game, assisting the AB’s to a 16-11 line-out count, while Kirky, Sutherland and Holmes were constructive in the open and foraged well for the loose ball. Eventually the strength of Keefy and ‘Moose’ Whiting wore down the gallant effort of the opposition, most notably Perry Harris.
Bruce Robertson gave another outstanding display at centre, his thrust and gap slicing often leaving his opposite’s standing. His constant attack-minded play meant he was involved in a lot of the try scoring action, of which there were seven in total; Hales and Burgess two apiece, one each for Eliason, Sutherland and Urlich.
Talking to the Whangarei press following the match against North Auckland, manager-coach, Jack Gleeson, indicated that a wonderful team spirit and fitness were in part the reason behind the success of this current All Black outfit.
Gleeson insisted on keeping the team together for an informal sing-song following each after-match function and said that ‘as a bunch of blokes’ the team had mixed well from the outset. Although Gleeson wouldn’t be around come season’s end, the foundations of squad bonding for that end of year tour began here around the traps of provincial New Zealand.
The big question was though; Did the tour itself, solve the problems that have beset New Zealand rugby over the past two seasons: the tendency to looseness and a general untidiness at the line-out?
The danger of playing sides so vastly inferior was harshly demonstrated on the 1970 South African tour. That games can be won so easily, incentive for players to eradicate bad habits is often not revealed until an individual is under pressure.
“New Zealand rugby play up front is at a crossroads: either the forwards are going to commit themselves to the tighter environment they were mostly nurtured on, or they are all going to pursue the open path, as so many members of the All Black pack did last week in their match against the Juniors. There were moments - and all too many of them - when anyone could have been forgiven for believing they were watching eight specialist loose forwards in the national jersey.”
Alan MacKay, Sports Post (May 20th, 1972)
MacKay went on to state that ‘locking a scrum is the task of a lock, not that of a No.8 or a flanker’ and ‘the approach of some players disturbingly affected their sluggish performances’. The untimely absence of the injured Sam Strahan was mentioned and the fact that at 27, he should be in his prime and his experience would be of great value to this current ‘Meads-less’ side.
But despite the misgivings of many and the frivolous questions as to why and how, the tour did produce some ‘finds’ going forward and as had always been eluded to; the results in Britain and France would provide the final answer.
Trevor Morris - after years in the wilderness in Motueka - was sensationally brought into the side at the behest of national selection chairman, Ivan Vodanovich. His general play was of the highest order, he revealed attacking flair, balance, immaculate hands and some considerable skill at drop-kicking a rugby ball.
Bruce Robertson’s 70 yard dash into the teeth of an Athletic Park gale to score against the Juniors was a truly memorable moment. The strength of Keefy and Moose at scrum time and Murdoch’s mobility in the loose were a feature, Kirky had led the team well, Sutherland and Burgess had exhibited their usual high standard of play.
Afforded time and space, BeeGee had returned to the form he’d shown in South Africa (attributable largely to Robertson) and Ron Ulrich had played so well that Tane Norton’s top rake spot looked seriously under threat.
Next up it was the touring Australians. The selectors had seen all they needed to, the selection of the test team would be awaited with much anticipation.
line-out. AB's (from left) are Holmes, Macdonald, Kirkpatrick, Eliason, Guy, Murdoch and Urlich.
caught in the tackle of Kenny Stewart and Kent Lambert, against the Juniors at Athletic Park. Greg McGee closing in.
clean ball for the AB backline.
line-out. AB's (from left) are Holmes, Macdonald, Kirkpatrick, Eliason, Guy, Murdoch and Urlich.
Check out all the photographs from the All Blacks unique internal tour of 1972, at left.