The local Illawarra team played the All Blacks and a young New Zealander called Colin Meads, aged 20, made his AB debut. 15 seasons later he retired as one of the greats!

SAXTON, CHARLIE
Otago, South Canterbury, Southland, Canterbury and New Zealand
3 internationals for New Zealand 1938

A successful All Black manager, coach and theoriser of the game, who wrote a very useful coaching manual, and a fine halfback whose career was cut short by World War II.

Charlie Saxton’s greater claim to fame was as captain of one of the most respected New Zealand rugby sides. Post-war blues were lifted throughout the British Isles and Europe by the sparkling play of the ‘Kiwis’ – a side chosen from New Zealand servicemen.

Captain of the side, and then 32, Saxton lost nothing by comparison with the talented young men joining him, 16 of them going on to become All Blacks. The side won 32 of its 38 matches in a five-month tour, the Saxton dive pass setting off his backs on many a thrilling movement.

He was an outstanding All Blacks manager in 1967 and a life member of the NZRFU.

Australia wore green and Ireland white.