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This Game is nicknamed in New Zealand rugby history 'The Water Polo test.' Here you can see why!
Onto the field they come for the 'Water Polo' test; New Zealand v Scotland in Auckland 1975.
17 December 2014
What a day this was. Look at the water! It had rained so hard overnight at Eden Park the Auckland Rugby Union phoned the local radio station 1ZB and said to the public - 'even if you've got tickets - don't come.' They added, ' - the streets are flooded, the car parks are under water and the 48-hour rainstorm is not scheduled to stop!' But 45,000 fans said - No way!' They wanted to see the All Blacks play (maybe because New Zealand was wearing white jerseys?). The game went ahead and the All Blacks scored 4 converted tries for a 24-0 win. Scotland were lucky to get zero! Afterwards the All Black prop Billy Bush said with relief, 'thank goodness the referee (Peter McDavitt of Wellington) blew up any collapsed scrums quickly - someone could have drowned!' Never a truer word spoken! (Scroll down here - and on other pages here - for more of my favourite rugby photographs)
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Every day there is Rugby History 14 July 1979
Click to show A Bastille Day victory for the fighting French!
Always a day of historical traditions for French people. More lustre is added with this brilliant 24-19 win over the All Blacks in Auckland.
A-Z of Rugby
Click to show RAEBURN PLACE
RAEBURN PLACE
On March 27 1871 the first international rugby match between any two countries was played at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh, the home ground of the Edinburgh Academicals Cricket Club. The decision to have a rugby match on the ground was not one that found unanimous favour with club members and approval was given only after a close vote had been taken. The pitch was only 55 yards wide, which apparently suited Scotland which did not like moving the ball anyway! A crowd of 4000 watched as Scotland won by one try and a goal to one try.
The ground hosted internationals up until 1895, and today is the headquarters of the Edinburgh Academicals Club.
10 Questions to well known sporting people
Today's KQ Rugby Quiz
Why did the Wallaby rugby team only practice in the afternoons at the 1987 Rugby World Cup?
What do you think?
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