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17 June 2014
The All Blacks in full colour playing their test matches are a familiar sight these days. But it was not always that way. This is a freeze-frame photo taken from the first ever live telecast of New Zealand's famous team on television. Coverage was in black and white only and only four cameras intercut the action. Focus on the play a far from the high definition of the modern digital coverage of today. New Zealand beat England in this match in 1954 by 5-0.
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It was 145-17 in Bloemfontein. Marc Ellis scored 6 tries and Simon Culhane kicked 20 conversions. Plus from others there was a lot more!
Bagnères and France
39 internationals for France 1971–80
A soccer player until he was 17, Aguirre gained his first international caps for France as a scrumhalf in 1971. A season later he changed to fullback and took to the role so readily that he was chosen to play for France in his new position against the All Blacks in early 1973. Injury kept him out of that game but shortly afterwards he coped so well at fullback against Wales that he became the replacement France had been seeking for Pierre Villepreux. He was rarely out of favour for the next six years.
A stylish attacker, Aguirre could also kick goals effectively. He landed six for France in the second test against Argentina in Buenos Aires in 1977, three of them from near halfway. Aguirre also landed a massive 65-metre kick on Wellington’s Athletic Park in 1979. Yet it is as a brilliantly versatile runner that he is remembered. He played a major part in France’s 24–19 win over New Zealand in 1979 – the famous ‘Bastille Day’ victory.
Aguirre later became a radio broadcaster on the game.
Who was the player in the All Blacks 1991 World Cup team who played in one test (against Italy) and never played for the All Blacks at any level before or after that game?
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