RIP

TV commentator John McBeth was touched to be asked to go to a New Zealand-Springbok test with Peter Henderson in 2009.

RIP Peter Henderson 1949-50 All Black

28 November 2014

It is always very sad when a man who once thrilled New Zealand with his youthful rugby zeal and became an All Black, then reaches his senior years - and then passes away. This week we say RIP to Peter 'Sammy' Henderson. Read more »

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RIP Kevin Skinner 1927-2014

Let's face it; Kevin Skinner was a very vital All Black

22 July 2014

I felt really sad when I heard of the death of Kevin Skinner. He was such a genial man in his later years until his health started to fade. At the Barbarians Club at Eden Park in Auckland he was always a friendly face, chatting away. And invariably gently chiding anyone who tried to push onto him the reputation many New Zealand rugby followers had that he was forever and only a rugby thug. He was not that at all. I prefer to call him a vital man who was very much needed by his country in some most critical rugby years. Read more »

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Every day there is Rugby History 18 July 1959

Click to show D.B Clarke's 6 penalties versus the Lions 4 tries!

Thus the ABs beat the Lions 18-17. Shocking really - but hey! We'll take it!

A-Z of Rugby

Click to show BALL BOYS/GIRLS

BALL BOYS/GIRLS

A vital part of the rugby game in New Zealand and Australia, but not always used in other parts of the rugby world. It used to be that the job of retrieving the ball for players in a game once the ball had crossed the touchline was a solely masculine prerogative. This is not now the case. Often girls do the job equally as well.

The ball boy’s or ball girl’s role is to field balls quickly when they cross the sidelines so as to get the game restarted without delay. It is a duty much vied for by young rugby people who relish the opportunity to take part in a big occasion, and to watch their heroes close up.