Overview

From the first rugby match between Wales and New Zealand in 1905 to November 2012, a mutual bond of rivalry and respect has developed between these two countries, both having a passion for the sport. The author documents the history of all the matches played and explores the social context and special bond between the nations. Foreword by J. P. R. Williams.

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9781848516724

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It was the late, great Bill Shankley who, when manager of Liverpool FC, famously said: Some believe football is a matter of life and death... I can assure you it is much, much more important than that. That could, in certain circumstances, apply to rugby as well, especially when the adversaries are Wales and New Zealand. When the New Zealanders meet Welsh teams, niceties fly out the window. They are not rugby matches, they are red-blooded confrontations. And though the two nations are separated geographically by half the globe, these are true derby matches. Think Celtic and Rangers on the soccer field and multiply by ten. Roger G. K. Penn narrates a history of all the matches between the All Blacks and Wales and Welsh clubs and regions between 1905 and November 2012 but this account is far more than that. Rather than dwell on the matches themselves, Penn includes off-field contemporary incidents that are an integral part of rugby history, and some have reached the status of mythology. This book was a mammoth task, but it reads like a labour of love. And through it all runs a thread: the disallowed try of 1905. It is set in context and newly evaluated. And now, over a century later, it is debated as fiercely as if it had happened only yesterday. At the time, the all-conquering All Blacks were seemingly unbeatable. Wales won by the only try of the match. But many still believe that Bob Deanss disallowed try should have stood. It was an epic match, described by the Western Mail thus: Such a game had never been played before, and such a victory had never been won. This immensely readable book, introduced by J. P. R. Williams, includes accounts of the All Black Originals of 1905, Cliff Porters Invincibles of 1924, Jack Manchesters men of 1935 and Bob Stuarts side of 1953. We are led into the 1960s, when giants like Whineray and Lochore ruled. On we go to the Welsh visit of 1969 and the tours of Kirkpatrick and Mourie in the 1970s. The centenary celebrations of 1980 and the 1987 World Cup are included, and the beginning of the professional era leads us into the new millennium. But were the All Blacks cheated of victory in 1905? The jury is still out ... perhaps Max Boyce should write a song about it. Lyn Ebenezer It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Gellir defnyddio'r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru. -- Welsh Books Council

Author Information

Roger Penn lives in Whitland, west Wales and is now retired after a career with Lloyd's Bank. His first publication, Dolycwrt (Gomer, 2011) charts one hundred years of medicine and his second title Beyond the Call of Duty (Gomer 2012) is a biography of his father, Dr George Penn. As a former Welsh Rugby Union referee, his enthusiasm for the game and attention to detail is reflected in this well researched and accessible book.

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