The story of the All Blacks : Springbok fever & Grand Slams, 1951-1979

44 Pages·2010·3.658 MB·English

by  Kevin Boon

The Story of the All Blacks
Springbok Fever & Grand Slams
by Kevin Boon
Books in The Story of the All Blacks series:

Originals & Invincibles 1900 - 1925
Lions, Wallabies & Springboks 1925 - 1950
Springbok Fever & Grand Slams 1950 - 1980
Politics & World Cups 1980 - 2010

Other books by Kevin Boon available from Kotuku Publishing:
Famous New Zealanders
Including: Edmond Hillary, Katherine Mansfield, Richard Hadlee, Peter Buck,
George Nepia, Margaret Mahy, Eric Tindill, John Trimmer & Yvette Williams.
New Zealand History
Including: The Maori, James Cook, Whalers & Sealers, Missionaries and Traders,
The Treaty of Waitangi, The Colonies, The Land Wars, The Gold Rushes, The Forests,
Roads & Railways, The Development of Farming, The Liberals, The Turn of the Century.
All available from: www.kotuku-books.co.nz
The Story of the All Blacks
Springbok Fever & Grand Slams
1951 - 1979
by Kevin Boon
ISBN 978-0-908947-83-6
Published by Printed by
(c) Kotuku Publishing Porirua Print
P.O. Box 22011 11 Kenepuru Drive
Khandallah Porirua
Wellington New Zealand
The Story of the All Blacks page 2
Introduction

Up until 1950 the All Blacks had achieved a magnificent record and made an important
contribution to developing New Zealand’s national identity. Most New Zealander’s were
aware of the achievements of teams such as the ‘Originals’ of 1905 and the ‘Invincibles’
of 1924, and they were proud of the All Blacks’ superb record against other countries. But
there were two blemishes on the All Blacks’ record.
The All Blacks had never beaten the Springboks in a series at home, or in South Africa.
In fact up until 1950 the record for test matches between the two rugby giants stood at
fourteen matches played, with nine victories to the Springboks and four to the All Blacks
and one match drawn. In particular the All Blacks had been humiliated in 1949 when they
lost the series four – nil in South Africa. They were determined to avenge the loss when the
Springboks visited New Zealand in 1956.
The other stain on the All Blacks’ record was that they had never achieved the ‘Grand Slam’
which involved beating all four of the British Home Unions; England, Scotland, Ireland
and Wales. Something always seemed to get in the way. The Originals were beaten by Wales,
the Invincibles, though unbeaten, did not play against Scotland and the 1935 team lost to
both Wales and England. Wales was the biggest obstacle. Along with South Africa, Wales
was the only country with an advantage over the All Blacks, with two victories to the All
Blacks’ one. However, it should be remembered that all of the matches up to 1950 had been
played in Wales. The great rivals were due to meet again when the All Blacks toured Britain
in 1953. Following their victory in the series against the British Isles in 1950, the focus of
the All Black selectors, coaches and supporters was upon defeating the Springboks in a series
and achieving the Grand Slam.
The 1951 Tour of Australia
The All Blacks’ tour of Australia in 1951 was
very successful. They won all of their matches
including the first test 8 – 0, the second 17 –
11 and the third 16 – 6. Several talented players
emerged on that tour. One was a stockily built,
balding wing three-quarter named Ron Jarden.
He was extremely fast and often rounded
his markers, using a devastating swerve and
a tremendous burst of acceleration. He also
possessed a sharp side-step and a skilful chip-
kick. Added to those skills he was an accurate
left foot goal-kicker. On the Australian tour he
scored 88 points, including a record 38 in one
game!
The Story of the All Blacks page 3
The Wallabies made a return tour of New Zealand in 1952 and surprised the All Blacks by
winning the first test 14 – 9. The All Blacks tried to run the ball through their backs but
close marking and handling errors let them down. Although they won the second test 15 – 8
the All Blacks’ coaches decided that open, running rugby was not practical under the rules
at that time.
The 1953/4 All Blacks’ Tour of Britain and France
The fourth All Black team to tour Britain and France during 1953/4 was very strong in the
forwards. Kevin Skinner, who had begun his career on the 1949 tour of South Africa was
regarded as one of New Zealand’s greatest prop forwards and the other props on that tour,
‘Snow’ White, Ian Clarke and Peter Eastgate were all strong mobile forwards. The hooker,
Ron Hemi was only 20 years of age but he was a fast striker for the ball and very quick
around the field. At lock ‘Tiny’ White was a superb lineout jumper and a relentless forward
in general play. His main locking partner, Nelson Dalzell did not have a long career but
he was a powerful scrummager. Bob Stewart, the hard-working captain, usually played at
number eight. The other loose-forwards included Bill Clark, a fast, skilful flanker and Peter
Jones, a strapping young forward who had been a track sprinter.
The team possessed some talented backs including the brilliant wing three-quarter, Ron
Jarden and Bob Scott, the magnificent fullback from the 1940s, who had come out of
retirement for this tour. However, the choice at halfback and first five-eight was between
young, inexperienced players such as Keith Davis and Guy Bowers, or the experienced
pairing of Vince Bevan and Laurie Haig, who were sound and reliable. The selectors usually
chose the more experienced combination.
The New Zealand Touring Team.
Back row: C.J. Loader, A.E.G. Elsom, J.W. Kelly, W.A. McCaw, K.l, Skinner, R.C. Hemi, J.M. Tanner, I.J.
Clarke. Second row: C.A. Woods, H.L. White, R.A. White, P.F.H. Jones, K.P. Bagley, R.J. O’Dea, O.D. Oliver,
G.N. Dalzell, W.H. Clark. Seated: R.A. Jarden, J.T. Fitzgerald, D.D. Wilson, R.C. Stuart (capt.), J.N. Millard
(manager), A.E. Marslin (asst. manager), L.S. Haig, R.W.H. Scott, B.P. Eastgate, V.D. Bevan.
In front: B.B.J. Fitzpatrick, R.G. Bowers, K. Davis, M.J. Dixon, W.S.S. Freebairn.
The Story of the All Blacks page 4
Early in the tour the All Blacks discovered that the backs of British teams stood up very flat
on defence. They also employed their loose forwards to fringe around the rucks and mauls
and to stand as near as possible to the offside line at lineouts. This made attacking back-play
difficult and risky. To combat these tactics the All Black coaches decided to adopt a form
of ‘safety first’ or ‘ten-man’ rugby. This involved forwards dominating scrums, lineouts,
rucks and mauls, and the halfback and first five-eight kicking the ball into touch or hoisting
‘up-and-unders’ for the forwards to chase. These tactics did not produce attractive rugby or
successful results.
The All Blacks won narrow victories over Ireland, 14 – 3, England, 5 – 3 and Scotland 3 – 0.
However, there was little margin for error and the games against Wales and France were
both lost because, while the All Black forwards dominated, the opposing teams scored more
points. Wales scored 13 points (including two tries) to the All Blacks 8, and the 3 points
from a try by the French captain Jean Prat was the only scoring in the French test. The
fourth All Black team to tour Britain and France was not as successful as the ‘Originals’ or
the ‘Invincibles’ and possibly even less successful than the 1935/6 team, which also lost two
test matches.
It is interesting to compare the over-all record of this team with that of the ‘Originals’
of 1905. The 1953/4 team scored 446 points, including 90 tries and 17 penalty goals,
compared to the 976 points, including 243 tries, and only 4 penalty goals scored by the
‘Originals.’ A better approach needed to be developed, especially as the All Black’s supporters
were looking forward to the visit by the Springboks in 1956 and hoping that the All Blacks
would finally achieve a series victory against their great rivals.
‘Tiny’ White bursts away with the ball against Ireland.
The Story of the All Blacks page 5
The 1955 Wallabies Tour of New Zealand
The three-test series against the visiting Wallabies in 1955 was used as an opportunity to
try new players and develop a strong team to face the Springboks the following year. Some
fine new players were discovered, including a strong-running second five-eight named Bill
Gray and two promising nineteen-year-old backs, Ross Brown at centre and Pat Walsh at
fullback. However, the selectors tried a variety of players at halfback and first five-eight,
without finding a satisfactory combination.
The forwards were more settled. The big Canterbury player, Bob Duff formed an excellent
locking partnership with ‘Tiny’ White. There was also plenty of loose-forward talent
available, including players like Bill Clark and Peter Jones from the 1953/4 tour of Britain
and a rugged flanker from Canterbury named ‘Tiny’ Hill. The selection of the 1953/4 All
Black prop, Ian Clarke as number eight and captain for all three tests was rather surprising.
The aim may have been to try other players, such as the young Otago forward, Mark Irwin
and the tough, experienced Wellington prop, Ivan Vodanovich in the front row.

For the record the All Blacks won the first test at Athletic Park 16 - 8 and the second, at
Carisbrook 8 – nil. However, in the third test at Eden Park the Wallabies defeated the All
Blacks by 8 points to 3, indicating that the selectors still had a few problems to solve if they
hoped to beat the Springboks the following year.

Phelps eludes the tackle of the All Black Captain, Ian Clarke.
The Story of the All Blacks page 6
Springbok Fever
The 1956 Springbok tour of New Zealand
There has probably never been a time when ‘rugby fever’ gripped New Zealanders more
strongly than during the visit of the 1956 Springboks. The All Blacks were humiliated by the
4 - nil ‘whitewash’ by the Springboks in 1949. Even before the Springboks arrived, rugby fans
were reading newspaper articles and listening to radio broadcasts about the team. At home an
extensive series of trials was held to select the right combination to ‘beat the boks.’
Although the 1956 Springbok team is considered a ‘failure’ because it lost the series, they
were a powerful and talented team, guided by a very shrewd coach, Danie Craven. They had
an immensely powerful scrum with strong, experienced props, Jaap Becker and Chris Koch
and a rugged, skilful hooker in Bertus van der Merwe. The locks, Johann Classen, ‘Salty’ du
Rand and Jan ‘The Bull’ Pickard were powerful scrummagers and excellent lineout jumpers.
However, the loose forwards were the team’s secret weapon. ‘Butch’ Lochner was a similar
player to Hennie Muller, the devastating crash-tackler of 1949. Daan Retief, who had begun
his career as a wing and Dawie Ackermann were both big men but extremely fast runners.
The backs were not strong on defence and lacked a first class fullback or goal-kicker, but
with the loose forward screen described above they did not need an impregnable defence.
The halfbacks, Tommy Gentles and ‘Popeye’ Strydom were smart runners and long accurate
passers. In the midfield, Jeremy Nell was a powerful centre, ‘Peewee’ Howe was extremely
elusive and Wilf Rosenberg, a swift, gliding runner. On the wings the Springboks could
field a sprint champion, Karl van Vollenhoven, Paul Johnston, a talented all-round player
or Roy Dryburgh, who could also play at full back. Tunis Briers, a very strong runner, later
joined the team as a replacement.
The 1956 Springboks.
Back row: A.J. van der Merwe, D.F. Retief, H.P.J. Bekker M.v.d. S. Hanekom, H.N. Walker, J.J. Nel,
G.P. Lochner, K.T. van Vollenhoven, C.A, Ulyate, C.J. de Wilzem. Third row: W. Rosenberg, P.S. du Toit,
J.A.J. Pickard, J.T. Claassen, C.J. de Nysschen, D.S.P. Ackermann, A.C. Koch, R.G. Dryburgh, B.D. Pfaff.
Second row: P.G. Johnstone, J.U. Buchler, S.S. Viviers (captain), D.H. Craven (manager), J.A. du Rand
(vice-captain), A.I. Kirkpatrick, C.J. van Wyk. In front: B.F. Howe, T.A. Gentles, P.E. Montini, C.F. Strydom,
J.G.H. du Preez. Absent: T.P.D. Briers, J.J. Starke.
The Story of the All Blacks page 7
The Springboks toured Australia before they came to New Zealand. They won all of their
marches including the two tests. However, when they arrived in New Zealand for their first
match against Waikato, they had two surprises awaiting them. The first was the overwhelming
enthusiasm and hospitality of the New Zealand public. In Hamilton and in other centres
large crowds waited to greet them. Street Parades were held with bands, floats and mascots,
including Waikato’s famous cow, ‘Mooloo.’
The second surprise occurred when Waikato kicked-off. The entire forward pack hit the
South Africans like a swarm of angry bees. The Springbok catcher was bowled over and the
ball was rucked back. It was kicked high in an ‘up-
and-under’ and the whole process was repeated.
This time instead of kicking the tiny Waikato
halfback, ‘Ponty’ Reid ran on the blindside and
passed to his wing who plunged over for a try.
A similar try was scored later in the first half.
The big Waikato fullback, Don Clarke kicked a
conversion, a drop goal and a long-range penalty,
for Waikato to lead 14 - 0 at the interval!
During the second half Waikato played with only
14 men. The Springboks struck back, scoring two
converted tries. However, the gallant Waikato
team held on to win an historic 14 –10 victory.
After the match Danie Craven presented the
Waikato team with the stuffed Springbok head
that he brought to New Zealand to present to
the first team to beat the Springboks. He had
been hoping to keep it for the entire tour.
The Story of the All Blacks page 8
For the first test at Carisbrook, the
All Black selectors chose a balanced
team: Pat Walsh, a youthful, attacking
player was chosen at fullback. The
brilliant Ron Jarden and Morrie
Dixon were selected on the wings.
Ross Brown, a promising young
centre and Bill Gray, a hard running
second five-eight were in midfield.
The experienced Canterbury captain,
Pat Vincent was at halfback, with
Robin Archer at first five-eight.
In the forwards the locks, Bob Duff
and ‘Tiny’ White formed a strong,
experienced core.John Buxton and
Don McIntosh were an in-form pair
of flankers. ‘Tiny’ Hill, a rugged
Canterbury player was selected at
number eight. In the front row
Ian Clarke at prop and Ron Hemi
at hooker had both played in the
Waikato game. Mark Irwin, strong
but inexperienced was selected as the
other prop.
The All Blacks Team for the Second Test
The most unusual feature of this test was the number of injuries. Several players were off the
field at various stages of the game. The All Blacks lost Mark Irwin with damaged ribs when
he was wrenched by the powerful Springbok scrum. ‘Tiny’ Hill was moved to the front row
but the All Black scrum was disrupted for the rest of the match. Robin Archer also received
a rib injury but managed to stay on the field. On the Springbok side Ackermann sustained a
knee injury after halftime and was off the field for the rest of the match. A short time later
Jan du Preez suffered a broken leg.
This was a game that could have gone either way. The Springboks scored first, when Dryburgh
kicking a penalty goal. The All Blacks replied with the forwards driving to the Springbok
line and ‘Tiny’ White diving over for a try that Jarden converted. A few minutes later South
Africa were hot on attack. Retief lobbed a pass to his backs. Had it been taken, the move
must have resulted in a try. Suddenly, Jarden darted forward, intercepted the pass and raced
forty metres to score near the posts. He converted his own try to give the All Blacks a 10 – 3
halftime lead. The second half was a grim struggle as both teams tried to cope with the loss
of their injured players. The only points came from an unconverted try by Howe. The All
Blacks had drawn first blood in the series with a 10 – 6 victory.