The Original All Blacks

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The 1905 Original All Blacks.
The 1905 Original All Blacks.

The Original All Blacks (also known simply as "The Originals") were the first New Zealand national rugby union team to tour outside Australasia. They toured the British Isles, France and United States of America during 1905 - 1906. The opening game was against Devon on 16 September 1905 and the final game was against British Columbia on 13 February 1906. During that period, a total of thirty-five matches were played including five Tests. Only one match was lost - the famous Test against Wales which the All Blacks lost 0 - 3.

The 1905 All Blacks tour of Britain went on to achieve legendary status within the rugby world and New Zealand in particular. The tour saw the first use of the All Blacks name and established New Zealand's reputation as a world class rugby union nation.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Background

A cartoon in the Punch. The cub defeating the Lion.
A cartoon in the Punch. The cub defeating the Lion.
the Originals play Middlesex at Stamford Bridge.
the Originals play Middlesex at Stamford Bridge.

After the formation of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) in 1892, New Zealand representative teams were selected for matches against international opponents. The first tour by a New Zealand representative side was in 1894, with a tour of New South Wales. New Zealand's first Test match was in 1903 when they played Australia in Sydney.[1] New Zealand's first home Test was the following year when they defeated Britain at Athletic Park, Wellington, by 9-3.[2] The win was significant as Britain had been unbeaten in their Australian tour, yet they won only two out of five matches in New Zealand.[3] The captain of Great Britain, David Sedell-Sivright, said after the Test that he could not see New Zealand winning the big matches on their Northern Hemisphere tour, but "I think you will probably win most of the county matches."[4]

[edit] Preparation

The New Zealand selectors named a group of fifty-three players from which the touring team would be selected in late 1904.[3] The following year on February 25, a list of 16 "certainties" for the tour was named (one of whom would eventually not tour due to injury).[5] A final opportunity for selection was the North-South inter-island match on 3 June 1905.[6] Following the match 25 players were selected for the team, and an additional two were added prior to the teams departure to Britain.[3]

Before the Northern Hemisphere tour, eighteen of the squad conducted a preliminary three-match tour of Australia where they won two matches and drew the other. They also played four pre-tour matches in New Zealand, winning two, drawing one, and losing their final game 3-0 to Wellington.[7]

The team departed for England aboard the Rimutaka on 30 July. There were two ports of call on the journey, Montevideo, and Tenerife, before their arrival in Plymouth, England. The day after their arrival on 8 September, the squad travelled 24 km (15 miles) to Newton Abbot, which seved as the team's training base throughout much of their tour.[8]

[edit] Early matches

Their first match took place on September 16 1905 against Devon, who had been runners-up in the most recent English county championship, and for whom played ten members of Devonport Albion, the top club in England.[9] Because of this, Devon went into the match as favourites, however the crowd of six thousand attended the match were soon stunned by the New Zealanders as they scored twelve tries and eventually won b 55-4[9].[10] Billy Wallace scored twenty-eight points, including three tries, and it would be another fifty-one years before another All Black would score more points in one match.[10] The score caused a sensation in Britain, and some newspapers even incorrectly reported the score as Devon 55, New Zealand 4.[10][11] Eventually the reports were corrected, and the New Zealanders returned to Newton Abbot to be greeted by a brass band and cheering crowd.[11]

Five days later New Zealand faced Cornwall at Recreation Ground in Camborne.[12] Although the score was only 12-0 at half time, the New Zealanders ended up with eleven tries, and a 41-0 victory.[13] The team then travelled to play Bristol, who they played on 13 September. The game was played in front of 6500 spectators, with the same result as the Cornwall match, a 41-0 victory for New Zealand.[14] They then travelled to Northampton, after stopping in London. The game resulted in another victory, this time 31-0, to the All Blacks.[15] By now, the All Blacks had scored 169 points in their four games, with only four against.[16]

The next match was against Leicester at Welford Road on 30 September.[17] Four players in the Leicester team would go on to play in the England Test; more then any other club.[18] Although the All Blacks were held scoreless for the first 25 minutes, at the time the longest period that the All Blacks had gone without scoring on tour, Smith eventually crossed for the All Blacks first score of the game.[17][19] The All Blacks ended the match 28-0 winners.[17][20]

The toughest game of the tour so far was against Durham County, on 7 October.[21] Durham were the English county champions, and were the first team to score a try against the All Blacks on tour. Despite the small 6-3 advantage to the All Blacks at the break, they scored ten unanswered points in the second half to win 16-3.[21] The All Blacks' closest game of the tour so far was immediately followed by their largest win. The match against Hartlepool Clubs, one of the strongest teams in northern England, was won 63-0 by the All Blacks.[22]

The All Blacks next three games were against Northumberland, Gloucester, and Somerset.[23] None of the sides scored against the All Blacks; with them losing by 31, 44, and 23 points to nil respectively.[24][25][26] Four days following the Somerset match, the All Blacks faced Devonport Albion. Devonport Albion were England's club champion, and the runners-up for Great Britain club champion.[27] 20,000 spectators witnessed another All Blacks victory; this time by 21-3.[28]

For the match against Midland Counties at Leicester, 17,000 spectators, as well as officials from the Welsh rugby union attended the match.[29] Although Midland Counties scored a converted try, the All Blacks retained their winning record with a 21-5 victory.[29] The victory over Midland Counties was followed by an 11-0 victory over Surrey, and 32-0 victory over Blackheath.[23] The seven try win over Blackheath was considered by Wallace to be the end of the All Blacks' peak - "Unfortunately, after this game injuries began to take their toll and prevented us ever putting in so fine a team again on the tour."[30]

The next three game for the All Blacks would be played in five days.[31] The All Blacks scored thirteen tries, and Hunter five of them, as they ran up a 47-0 victory over Oxford University.[32] Their next match, two days later, was against Cambridge University.[33] The Scotland Test was approaching, and the All Blacks decided to rest several of it's players; Hunter, Stead, Selling, and Gillett.[33] Cambridge's kicking game, and fast backs helped them to restrict the score to 14-0 to the All Blacks.[34] Two days later the All Blacks faced Richmond, and scored five tries to register a 17-0 victory.[35] Their last game before the Scotland Test was against a Bedford XV in Richmond.[36] There were four All Black tries in the first half, and six in the second.[37] The final score was 41-0; the All Blacks had now scored over 600 points on tour.[37]

[edit] Scotland

At the time of the Tour, rugby in Scotland was a game of the upper classes, and the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) was very conservative.[38][39] Their officials believed the game should remain strictly amateur, and that rugby was for the players, not the spectators.[39] The Scottish were uncomfortable with the public interest in the All Blacks, and did not make them feel very welcome.[39][38] They interpreted a letter sent to them stating that the All Blacks did not want to be entertained after their match quite literally, and the All Blacks were not invited to the after-match dinner organised by the Scottish Union.[40][41] As well as this, the SRU refused to grant international caps for the game.[38]

The game was a financial success for the NZRFU.[3] The NZRFU had asked for a £500 financial guarantee from the SRU for the game, but because of their dept, the SRU offered instead to give the entire gate (minus expenses).[39] Due to a big attendance, the NZRFU received a fee of over £1700 for the game.[42] Although the SRU were very happy with this (they offered the same terms to the Springboks when they toured in 1906).[42] There were also concerns about the three shillings a day each All Black received whilst on tour.[3] After they found that the Rugby Football Union had approved the payments, a Calcutta Cup match was cancelled.[3]

The game was played on 18 November on an icy pitch (straw had not been spread over the pitch the night before), which nearly caused the game to be cancelled.[43][3] The All Blacks kicked off, and had the best of the first ten minutes.[44] Scotland eventually got a scrum near the All Blacks goal-line, and after winning the scrum, passed to Ernest Simson, who dropped a goal to put Scotland ahead 4-0.[44] It was the first time the All Blacks had been behind on tour.[44] The All Blacks replied with a try under the posts, which was unconverted. A second try was then scored, by Smith; again it went unconverted. Scotland then scored an unconverted try, to lead at half time 7-6. With less then ten minutes to go the score remained 7-6 and it looked like the All Blacks might lose their first match on tour. However with four minutes to go the All Blacks had a scrum on halfway; the resulting movement finished with George Smith crossing for a try.[45] Bill Cunningham then scored a try with seconds remaining, and the All Blacks were victorious 12-7.[45]

Four days after the Scotland Test the All Blacks faced West of Scotland in Glasgow.[46] The cities' secondary schools were given half a day off to watch the match.[47] The All Blacks scored six tries on the way to a 22-0 victory.[47] The team then travelled to Ireland, for their third Test.

[edit] Ireland

The welcome extended by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) a contrast to that of Scotland.[48] The morning they arrived in Belfast they were met by several IRFU officials who took them out for breakfast.[46] The arrival in Ireland also marked a homecoming for the captain Gallaher, who was born in County Donegal, but had moved to New Zealand at the age of four.[49] Thousands awaited the All Blacks when they arrived in the Dublin train station.[46] On the Thursday before the Test, both teams attended the theatre together; sitting alternatively so they could better mix.[48]

The sold out Test was played on Saturday 25 November at Lansdowne Park.[48][49] The 12,000 that turned up did not get to see Gallaher though, as he was injured.[49] Mynott was also selected to play on the wing despite having never played there before, and there being three three-quarters available.[50] For a 30 minute period in the first half the Irish forwards dominated, however the deadlock was broken close to half time when Deans scored a try under the posts; Wallace converted the try giving the All Blacks a 5-0 half-time lead.[50] Early in the second half Deans scored another try; again converted by Wallace.[48] Smith lost the ball over the line before Alex McDonald scored the All Blacks third and final try. Wallace successfully converted to give the All Blacks a 15-0 victory.[48]

The All Blacks then headed to Limerick for their one other game in Ireland.[51] Not all of the team travelled for the match against Munster, and Dixon had even tried to get the All Blacks out of the game.[51] The match played on Tuesday 28 November was won 33-0 by the All Blacks.[52] The eight tries witnessed by the 3,000 strong crowd included a penalty try after Fred Roberts was tripped close to the line.[52]

[edit] England

Following the Munster match the All Blacks returned to England.[53] Due to its larger capacity, the game was played at Crystal Palace (which had an official capacity of 50,000) rather than Blackheath.[53] Despite the official capacity, it is estimated between 70,000 and 100,000 people attended the match; many of them non paying spectators.[53][54][3] The 100,000 spectators, including the Prince of Wales (the future King George V), was a record for a rugby or soccer match in London.[55]

The England Test was the All Blacks' third international in as many weeks; they had been played on successive Saturdays, with a mid-week match between each.[53] England named eight new caps in their side, and played a rover (or wing-forward) on top of seven forwards.[56] The game has been described as "a benefit for All Black wing Duncan McGregor".[3] He scored four tries in the Test - a record not equalled by an All Black until 1987.[54][57] A try was also scored by Allen, and with none of the five tries converted, the score finished 15-0.[54] English sportsman CB Fry said after the match, "The notion that these men beat us because of our physical degeneracy is nonsense. They beat us by organisation and by tactics."[58][59]

The All Blacks had three more games before their Wales Test.[60] Their first was again Cheltenham on 6 December at Cheltenham.[61] The match was won by the All Blacks 18-0 after they scored four tries; three of them by Abott.[60] The next match was at Birkenhead against Cheshire.[60] The All Blacks scored 10 tries and recorded their biggest win in nearly a month.[62] The final score witnessed by the 8000 strong crowd at Birkenhead Park was 34-0.[62] The All Blacks' last match before facing Wales was against Yorkshire in Leeds.[63] The game was played in Northern Union territory, and there were many league scouts trying to recruit All Black squad members to the rival code.[63] 24,000 spectators watched as the All Blacks won 40-0, which included 10 tries.[64]

[edit] Wales Test

The Originals Test against Wales is still considered one of sports great matches.[65][3] The Test was played at Cardiff Arms Park, 16 December 1905 in front of 47000 spectators.[65] The All Blacks were applauded onto the park where they performed their haka in front of a silent crowd.[3] Once they had applauded their haka, the crowd, led my ‘Teddy' Morgan, sung the Welsh national anthem Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (Land of Our Fathers). The anthem was sung in an attempt to reduce the perceived psychological advantage of the haka. The match was the first time a national anthem had been sung before a sporting fixture.[3]

The lead up to the match was controversial. The All Blacks' manager George Dixon and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) could not agree on a referee.[66] Dixon rejected all of the WRU's proposed referees, and the WRU all of Dixon's.[66] The rules of the day dictated that in that case, the WRU could ask another union to appoint a referee.[66] They asked the Scotland Rugby Union, who appointed Scotsman John Dallas.[66] Dallas was heavily criticised during the Test, for wearing clothing considered inappropriate for refereeing a match, and for being unable to keep up with play.[3]

As well as the referee, the selection of Mynott at first five-eighth over Billy Stead was highly controversial.[67] Several explainations were given for Stead's omission. One was that he was originally selected, but gave up his spot in the team for a disappointed Mynott. The official reason given for Stead's omission was injury - although he was fit enough to act as touch judge during the Test.[67]

After the matches kick-off there was soon a scrum ordered.[68] The All Blacks were repeatedly penalised by the referee whenever they had a scrum however.[68] The reason for this was the All Blacks 2-3-2 scrum formation where they had only two front-rowers.[69] The Welsh team used a three man front row, and had studied the All Blacks scrummaging technique.[70] The Welsh countered the All Blacks 2-3-2 scrum formation by setting their front row after the All Blacks, and hence preventing the All Blacks from gaining the loosehead.[70] Hence everytime the All Blacks tried to hook the ball they were penalised.[71] As a result the All Blacks' captain Gallaher ordered the All Blacks not to contest the scrums and to let the Welsh win the ball.[71]

[edit] Name

The team departed New Zealand as the New Zealand Football Team, or, simply The New Zealanders, though names such as Maorilanders and Colonials were also applied. Reference to the team by the name "All Blacks" first appeared during the Originals tour when, according to Billy Wallace, a London newspaper reported that the New Zealanders played as if they were "all backs".[72] Wallace claimed that due to a typographical error, subsequent references were to "All Blacks". Wallace was the last of the Originals to pass away, so this explanation for the name's origins is widely believed.[73] However, the Express and Echo in Devon, reporting after the Originals match there, referred to "The All Blacks, as they are styled by reason of there sable and unrelieved costume."[73] The new name quickly became popular throughout Britain, though its acceptance into popular culture took a longer time back home in New Zealand. On March 5 when the team returned home, the Herald acclaimed the "New Zealand Footballers", however, the following day its report of the official function was headed "Return of the All Blacks".

[edit] Results

Northern Hemisphere tour results, with Test matches in bold.[23]
Opponent For Against Date Location
Devon 55 4 16 September 1905 Exeter
Cornwall 41 0 21 September 1905 Camborne
Bristol 41 0 23 September 1905 Bristol
Northampton 32 0 28 September 1905 Northampton
Leicester 28 0 1 October 1905 Leicester
Middlesex 34 0 4 October 1905 Stamford Bridge
Durham 16 3 7 October 1905 Durham
Hartlepool Clubs 63 0 11 October 1905 Hartlepool
Northumberland 31 0 14 October 1905 North Shields
Gloucester 44 0 19 October 1905 Gloucester
Somerset 23 0 21 October 1905 Taunton
Devonport Albion 21 3 25 October 1905 Newton Abbot
Midland Counties 21 5 28 October 1905 Leicester
Surrey 11 0 1 November 1905 Richmond
Blackheath 32 0 4 November 1905 Blackheath
Oxford University 47 0 7 November 1905 Oxford
Cambridge University 14 0 9 November 1905 Cambridge
Richmond 17 0 11 November 1905 Richmond
Bedford XV 41 0 15 November 1905 Bedford
Scotland 12 7 18 November 1905 Edinburgh
West of Scotland 22 0 22 November 1905 Glasgow
Ireland 15 0 25 November 1905 Dublin
Munster 33 0 28 November 1905 Limerick
England 15 0 2 December 1905 Crystal Palace
Cheltenham 18 0 6 December 1905 Cheltenham
Cheshire 34 0 9 December 1905 Birkenhead
Yorkshire 40 0 13 December 1905 Headingley
Wales 0 3 16 December 1905 Cardiff
Glamorgan 9 0 21 December 1905 Swansea
Newport 6 3 23 December 1905 Newport
Cardiff 10 8 26 December 1905 Cardiff
Swansea 4 3 30 December 1905 Swansea
France 38 8 1 January 1906 Paris
British Columbia 43 6 10 February 1906 Berkeley
British Columbia 65 6 13 February 1906 San Francisco
Total Points 976 59

[edit] Squad

The squad, manager, and coach for the Northern Hemisphere tour:[23][74]

Name Position Province Tour points
George Gillett Fullback Canterbury 18
Billy Wallace Three-quarters Wellington 246
Duncan McGregor Three-quarters Wellington 50
Ernie Booth Three-quarters Otago 17
George Smith Three-quarters Auckland 57
Harold Abbott Three-quarters Taranaki 47
Hector (Mona) Thompson Three-quarters Wanganui 44
Eric Harper Three-quarters Canterbury 24
Jimmy Hunter Five-eighths Taranaki 129
Simon Mynott Five-eighths Taranaki 49
Bob Deans Five-eighths Canterbury 60
Billy Stead Five-eighths Southland 33
Fred Roberts Halfback Wellington 48
Steve Cassey Forward Otago 0
John Corbett Forward West Coast 0
Bill Cunningham Forward Auckland 22
Frank Glasgow Forward Taranaki 37
Bill Glenn Forward Taranaki 0
Bill Johnston Forward Otago 9
Bill Mackrell Forward Auckland 3
Alex McDonald Forward Otago 12
Fred Newton Forward Canterbury - West Coast 3
George Nicholson Forward Auckland 18
Jim O'Sullivan Forward Taranaki 3
Charlie Seeling Forward Auckland 24
George Tyler Forward Auckland 18
Dave Gallaher (Captain) Forward Auckland 5

Manager - George Dixon
Coach - Jimmy Duncan

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ 1st All Black Test : 45th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  2. ^ 2nd All Black Test : 47th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m The 1905/06 'Originals'. rugbymuseum.co.nz. Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  4. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 16.
  5. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 18.
  6. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 19.
  7. ^ in Australia and New Zealand. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-24.
  8. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 30.
  9. ^ a b Tobin (2005), pg 31.
  10. ^ a b c "56th All Black Game". allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
  11. ^ a b Tobin (2005), pg 34.
  12. ^ 57th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
  13. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 36.
  14. ^ 58th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
  15. ^ 59th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
  16. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 39.
  17. ^ a b c 60th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  18. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 40.
  19. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 41.
  20. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 44.
  21. ^ a b 62nd All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
  22. ^ 63rd All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
  23. ^ a b c d In the British Isles, France and North America. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-24.
  24. ^ 64th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
  25. ^ 65th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
  26. ^ 66th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
  27. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 59.
  28. ^ 67th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
  29. ^ a b 68th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-05.
  30. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 72-73.
  31. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 74.
  32. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 77.
  33. ^ a b Tobin (2005), pg 78.
  34. ^ 72nd All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-06.
  35. ^ 73rd All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-06.
  36. ^ 74th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-06.
  37. ^ a b Tobin (2005), pg 82.
  38. ^ a b c Tobin (2005), pg 84.
  39. ^ a b c d Ryan (2005), pg 120.
  40. ^ Ryan (2005), pg 122.
  41. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 89.
  42. ^ a b Ryan (2005), pg 121.
  43. ^ 4th All Black Test : 75th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-07.
  44. ^ a b c Tobin (2005), pg 86.
  45. ^ a b Tobin (2005), pg 88.
  46. ^ a b c Tobin (2005), pg 92.
  47. ^ a b 76th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  48. ^ a b c d e Ryan (2005), pg 124.
  49. ^ a b c 5th All Black Test : 77th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  50. ^ a b Tobin (2005), pg 94.
  51. ^ a b Tobin (2005), pg 97.
  52. ^ a b 78th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
  53. ^ a b c d Tobin (2005), pg 102.
  54. ^ a b c 6th All Black Test : 79th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
  55. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 104.
  56. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 103.
  57. ^ The feat was surpassed in 1995 when Marc Ellis scored six tries against Japan.
  58. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 107.
  59. ^ Fry was an international cricketer, soccer player, and former long jump world-record holder.
  60. ^ a b c Tobin (2005), pg 109.
  61. ^ 80th All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
  62. ^ a b 81st All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
  63. ^ a b Tobin (2005), pg 110.
  64. ^ 82nd All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
  65. ^ a b 7th All Black Test : 83rd All Black Game. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-16.
  66. ^ a b c d Tobin (2005), pg 116.
  67. ^ a b Tobin (2005), pg 114.
  68. ^ a b Tobin (2005), pg 117.
  69. ^ 2-3-2 refers to two front rowers, two second rowers and two back rowers. This is different to the standard 3-2-3 scrum formation which was used by the Home Nations.
  70. ^ a b
  71. ^ a b Tobin (2005), pg 118.
  72. ^ ALL BLACKS - The Name?. rugbymuseum.co.nz. Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
  73. ^ a b Polanski (2003), pg 16-17.
  74. ^ Tobin (2005), pg 19 - 21.

[edit] Bibliography

  • Palenski, Ron (2003). Century in Black - 100 Years of All Black Test Rugby. Hodder Moa Beckett Publishers Limited. ISBN 1-86958-937-8. 
  • Ryan, Greg (2005). The Contest for Rugby Supremacy - Accounting for the 1905 All Blacks. Canterbury University Press. ISBN 1-877257-36-2. 
  • Tobin, Christopher (2005). The Original All Blacks 1905-06. Auckland, New Zealand: Hodder Moa Beckett. ISBN 1-86958-995-5. 

[edit] External links

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