All Blacks v Lions Documentary No.1, No.2, No. 3 and No. 4.

Rights Information
Year
1966
Reference
273262
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1966
Reference
273262
Media type
Audio
Duration
00:48:45
Credits
RNZ Collection
Sellers, Peter, 1925-1980, Producer
New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (estab. 1962, closed 1975), Broadcaster

"The All Blacks and The Lions 1888-1966" a series of 4 documentaries by Peter Sellers.
Doc. No. 1.
Orchestral theme music introduces programme. Narrator, "Although the origins of what may be called the parent game of football stretch back into antiquity cannot be ignored, it was made clear enough many years ago not least in the monumental work edited by the Rev. F. Marshall that Rugby School was the birth place of the game which came to bare its name..." The history of Rugby in Britain and its evolution in New Zealand. Interview excerpt from Bill Ramsay, a top official from the Rugby Football Union; Charles John Monroe, instrumental in forming Nelson’s rugby club and British top administrator, Cyril Gadney. A.E. Stoddart’s team toured New Zealand in 1888, the Native New Zealand team toured Britain in 1888/9. Narrated notes from Game Promoter, Thomas Iten. Mr J.K. Maloney, a past President of the New Zealand Football Union remembers a game from 1904. In 1905/6 the original All Blacks travelled to England, interviews follow with two of the team members; Billy Sted from the Invercargill Star Club, Southland and Billy Wallace from the Poneke Club, Wellington. An Anglo-Welsh team toured New Zealand in 1909 playing 17 games, winning 9 and drawing 1 and losing 7. In 1914 the Rugby Union issued a circular advising all its players to join the forces, no rugby was played for the next four seasons outside of schools. After the war the Inter-Services were well represented by New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Britain and Canada. By 1924 peace time competition was well established, the All Blacks visited Australia and Mark Nicholls comments on play by George Nepia. Outro theme music.

All Blacks v Lions Doc. No. 2
Narrator, “By October 2nd 1924 the All Blacks under Cliff Porter had won the first five games in the United Kingdom comfortably. Then they met the tough Welsh side of Newport and just got home by 13-10, one of the stars of that game was Cliff Porter…” All Black, Neil McGregor reminisces. Top New Zealand packman, [Reid] Masters comments on the first international game against Ireland at Dublin, on November 1st. Oxford University scored the most against the All Blacks in that tour, comment from George Nepia. Narrator refers to the All Blacks as ‘The Invincibles’. Comment on play in Wales from All Black, Jim Parker. All Black, Bert Cook comments on Cliff Porter assisting with managing during the tour. Narrator, “By January 4th 1925 a Māori boy of 19 had played in every game in three different countries for the only Rugby Union Team to go through the British Isles undefeated, Hawkes Bay’s George Nepia…” the 1928/9 South Island representative, Arthur Marsden reminisces. Scripted commentary from 45YA’s commentator of the time, Mr A.L. Canter. Excerpts from interviews with All Blacks player Eric Tindall and New Zealand skipper Cliff Porter. In 1935 the third All Blacks with skipper Jack Manchester sailed to British Isles. Excerpt from an interview with [Brwyn] Thomas, Welsh correspondent and All Black prop, George Aitkens of South Canterbury. Tourist, [Dith] Morris gives his views of the best match of the tour. 1935, New Zealand half back against England at Twickenham, Merv Corner; Jack Hore and Charlie Oliver comment on the game. By September 1939 war had been declared and official rugby games were halted. Outro theme music.

All Blacks v Lions Doc. No. 3.
Orchestral theme music introduces programme. Narrator, “The All Blacks and the Lions. After the war the Kiwis, under Charlie Saxton toured the home countries. At the end of 1945 they were unbeaten in 13 starts, included in these games were five in Wales and on January 6th 1946 the Kiwis played the top Welsh 15 at Cardiff Arms Park…” Excerpt from an interview with Charlie Saxton who comments on the awe-inspiring crowd present, that Jack Finlay, All Blacks selector and Neil McPhail, All Blacks assistant manager were in the team that day and the greatest memory of the day is [Sherrit’s] try. Comment from Tucker (English team of 1924/5) that the Kiwis side were as good as the team from 1924/5. Brief excerpts of speeches and interviews regarding play in Scotland include Captain Geddes; the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Peter Fraser; All Black, Jim Kearney and Lance Bombardier of Scotland. In 1950 the Lions were welcomed to New Zealand, brief commentary from the third game at Greymouth by Winston McCarthy. Comments on the next game at Carisbrook, Otago from former test prop, Ray Dalton. Peter Johnston remembers the play during that tour. The second test played at Lancaster Park, Christchurch; excerpt of rugby commentary by Winston McCarthy, late in second spell. Comments from Welsh player, Bleddyn Williams on final test game in Auckland and an excerpt from commentary by Jo King. An excerpt from a speech by Dr Karl Mullen following the last test in the tour. Outro theme music. [British and New Zealand play between 1939-1950].

All Blacks v Lions Doc. No. 4
Orchestral theme music introduces programme. Narrator, “The All Blacks and the Lions. The New Zealand and British rugby clashes were on again in 1953, the year of the visit of Bob Stewart’s All Blacks…” Excerpt from interview with manager, Mr Norman Millard. Comments from Welsh player, Cliff Morgan and live commentary by Winston McCarthy of the Cardiff game. Comments from Honorary Treasurer of the Rugby union, Bill Ramsay. Further commentary by Winston McCarthy in Wales at the All Black’s 14th game. Excerpt of commentary by Rex Alston describing play at Twickenham. Comments from Snow White at the end of the British Isles tour 1954. Controversial test at Carisbrook, Dunedin in 1959 with commentary by Winston McCarthy and winning goal by Don Clarke. Excerpt from post-match interview with British Lions Captain, Ron Dawson. Commentary by Winston McCarthy late in the second half of the game at Eaton Park. Commentary from Bob Irvine, in the winter of 1963 where the first test was played at Eaton Park, the second at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. In the same season of 1963 the All Blacks toured the United Kingdom captained by Wilson Whineray. Excerpt from commentary from the game against Ireland at Landsdowne. Wilson Whineray comments on their game in Scotland. Music outro.