Wales and the All Blacks - An Off-Field History

A mutual bond of rivalry and respect has existed between the rugby-loving Wales and New Zealand nations since their first match in 1905. This book documents all the matches played, but also takes an unorthodox, stimulating look at off-field obligations and functions, an often-overlooked aspect of a tour. Reprint of Three Feathers and a Silver Fern (pub. 2013).

• Thanks and Acknowledgements
• Foreword by J. P. R. Williams
• Preface
• part i
• a welcome to wales
• for the 1905 ‘originals’
  • All aboard the Great Western Railway to Cardiff
  • Into the Dragon’s Den as the Welsh prepare to pounce
  • Forty-five thousand Voicesand the Great Rivalry begins
  • Daggers are Drawn as a Refereeing Rumpus Threatens the Tour
  • Newport and Cardiff fall short as the Marathon Men march on
  • A Farewell at St Helen’s as theNew Zealanders head for home
• part ii
• cliff porter’s ‘invincibles’ of 1924
  • Welcoming Long-lost Friends after Nineteen Years
  • Down to Earth at Ebbw Vale Colliery and a Fine Sporting Gesture
  • From Cardiff City Hall to Tenby’s South Beach
  • All Blacks onslaught ruffles Welsh feathers
  • A ‘Stradey Special’ earns Glowing Tributes at the Thomas Arms
• part iii
• jack manchester’s men of 1935
  • All Roads lead to Abertillery Parkas Battles Resume
  • The All Whites topple the All Blacks at Swansea
  • Jack’s men bounce back as Welsh teams tumble
  • The Day the All Blacks went to Aberdare
  • A warm-up at Aberavon and a one point win for Wales
• part iv
• bob stuart’s tourists of 1953
  • World War II and a Rugby Round-up
  • Wyn’s old Wolseley and Bob’s bumpy ride
  • What a win for Wales as Ticket Touts lose out
  • Bob Scott’s bumper goals and Winston McCarthy’s sacks of Coal
• part v
• into the 1960s withwilson whineray and brian lochore
  • The Woes of a Newport win asWelshmen Sing their side to Victory
  • Winter-warm tracksuits at Swansea and Wilson’s gallop for glory
  • Kinship and Kindness andTwo tickets for the Test
  • The Sweet taste of Victorythat escapes East Wales
• part vi
• wales visit new zealand in 1969
  • Landing amongst friendswith Mascot ‘Dai Debenture’ on board
• part vii
• the tours of ian kirkpatrick and graham mourie in the 1970s
  • It’s Delme’s day as Carwyn calls the tune
  • Rugby loses its way amongst the fights and the fog
  • A Gem of a Try in the Greatest Game of All
  • Leicester’s Memories of an Unbeaten Trail
• part viii
• centenary celebrations in 1980and a rugby world cup in 1987
  • A Referee’s commentary and Terry’s dream tour
  • Bill’s biggest thrill as Wales visit Invercargill
  • Buck’s beefed-up haka flattens Welsh Feathers
• part ix
• the start of a professional era in 1995
  • An outing to Johannesburg and an All Blacks doctor from Wales
  • Sharing more than aWalk down Wembley Way
• part x
• entering a new millennium
  • Neven’s night out in Cilfynydd
• part xi
• fun, fireworks anddark november nights
  • One last visit to Carisbrook for the Welsh
  • Rugby World Cup 2011 and a certain French connection
• part xii
• a wet winter’s night in cardiff and the ‘try that never was’
  • The Legacy of a Scottish Referee
  • Looking Back to 1905 for Wales’s Next Victory
• Wales versus New Zealand
• Bibliography
• About the author
• Photographs