KeithQuinnRugby
Thinking and talking about rugby every day for 50+ years
You are here: Home » What's the real story behind this picture? (Click on 'Favourite Photos' here.)
28 February 2015
This is me at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in South Africa in 1976. Why did this young reporter want to have his picture taken right there? It wasn't just because my name was on the building behind. Click on 'Favourite Photos' here to read about that location's fascinating and sad role in South African rugby history.
Comments 2
With Cavaliers players banned a very young NZ team, under their captain David Kirk, and with 11 new test players, beat France 18-9 in Christchurch.
FERRASSE, ALBERT
Elected president of the French Rugby Federation in 1968, Albert Ferrasse of Agen built for himself the formidable reputation of being the most powerful administrator in French rugby.
Born in 1917, Ferrasse played at lock in the Agen team which won the national club championship of France in 1945. Later he made the reserves for the French XV. After his playing days were over, he took to refereeing with considerable success, refereeing the French club final of 1959.
Under his guidance France was admitted to the International Rugby Board in 1978. Ferrasse, very pro-British in his outlook, also fought sternly to allow South Africa to maintain its place in world rugby. Through France’s association with FIRA, he kept a weather eye on the emerging countries of European rugby.
Well known for taking a strong stance on rough play in rugby, ‘Tonton Albert’ (Uncle Albert) Ferrasse also introduced the rigid club transfer rules in France. Outsiders asked about the apparent ‘liberal’ attitude in France towards the amateur spirit of the game, but Ferrasse repeatedly claimed he investigated any complaints of the amateur spirit and could find few, if any, breaches. Talk is one thing, proof is another, he said, when questioned about reported professionalism in French club rugby. He was also once quoted as saying that ‘it is quite an achievement that rugby still resists the aggression of money’.
The authoritative reign of Ferrasse ended after 23 years in December 1991 when he resigned. After a prolonged backstage battle, Bernard Lapasset was elected in his place as the new president of the French Rugby Federation. Lapasset of course, went on to become Chairmain of the International Rugby Board.
Who captained the All Blacks at the 1991 Rugby World Cup?
What do you think?
Click here to show the answer.
You cannot post comments until you have logged in.
Login Here or Click Here to Register.
5 April 2016 (9 years ago)
bruce123
Hi Keith. Jack van der Schuyff missing a match-winning conversion against the '55 Lions at this ground. Quinns Bakery is the backdrop to that photo of the ball sailing off to the left of the posts, with van der Schuyff hanging his head in disappointment.
7 March 2015 (10 years ago)
Mooloomagic
In 1953 when Waikato played Manawatu the two halfbacks were the late Pat Greene for Waikato and Bill Donaldson for Manawatu. 24 year later their sons were the All Blacks halfbacks in 1977 tour of France . I’d venture this is unique in New Zealand rugby two opposing players whose sons became All Blacks playing exactly the same positions their Dads did for the same province