Match of the Century #1

My latest social history project is the “Match of the Century”, the rugby union match that took place on 16 December 1905 between Wales and New Zealand. This match shaped the sporting cultures of Wales and New Zealand, and the wider sporting world.

I hope you will enjoy following this story from the build-up to the match, to the match itself, and its aftermath.

“Match of the Century”

Rugby Union: Wales v New Zealand, 16 December 1905

Part One: The Tourists Arrive

Eastern Daily Press, 9 September 1905

“The team of New Zealand footballers, which is to tour Britain this season, landed at Plymouth yesterday. The players number twenty-eight. The first match is with Devon on the 16th inst. and the last with Wales on December 16th, after which the team returns home.”

The tour actually continued into the new year, but this study will conclude with the momentous match against Wales.

Part Two: Tactics

Athletic News, 11 September 1905

“One doubts that the seven pack of New Zealand will be successful against the eight packs of Great Britain. One has been inclined to the view that their success has been due to the superiority of their men and not their system.”

“In the backs, the New Zealanders play a scrum half, two five-eights and three three-quarters. As a rule, the half-back sends the ball to the five-eights when the latter is moving fast, and not while he is stationary.”

The New Zealanders also had an advantage in the scrums and line-outs. In Britain, the forwards did not have specific positions – they would scrum down in the order they arrived at the scrum. Each New Zealand forward, however, had a specific role.

The New Zealanders eliminated the lottery of the line-out through practice. They used their full-back as an attacker, and were fitter because they played forty-five minutes per half, instead of the thirty-five minutes commonplace in Britain.

Part Three: Previewing the First Match

The Pall Mall Gazette, 16 September 1905

“If the game were generally played in England with the same finesse and skill as in Wales, it is possible that there would be a rugby revival. The New Zealanders should help in this direction, for they play an open, fast, clever, and attractive game. The tour may thus gain many converts to the code.”

Part Four: The First Match

Devon 4 v 55 New Zealand

“The sensational scoring by New Zealand against Devon at the County Ground, Exeter was far beyond expectations. There is something extraordinary in the play of the Colonials. The manner in which they acquitted themselves was brilliant, their clever footwork and exceedingly good passing eclipsing anything seen previously at the County Ground.”

“The New Zealanders are an exceedingly fine lot of men, some of them being of exceptional physique. The forwards were heavier than the Devonian eight, but at the conclusion of play all were in excellent condition.”

Part Five: More Victories and a Suggestion

After their opening win against Devon, the New Zealand tourists recorded eighteen more victories against English teams, amassing 557 points with only 15 conceded. Their apparent invincibility prompted the following suggestion:

“Mr Hamish Stuart, rugby writer, has come forward with the suggestion that an Imperial team should challenge the New Zealanders. If the Colonials are to be beaten something big will certainly have to be done. A match between fifteen of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales against New Zealand would be the very thing to rouse the Rugby Unionists not only of this country, but of the world.”

Part Six: The First Test

Scotland v New Zealand

The New Zealanders arrived in Edinburgh for their first Test Match, against Scotland, on 18 November 1905 boasting a record of nineteen games played on tour, nineteen victories, 612 points scored and only nineteen conceded. Could the Scotland team rise to the challenge? Here’s what happened.

“It was a struggle worth many a journey to see. A sheer hard, strenuous encounter in which quarter was neither asked for nor given. The pace right through was terrific. Every man must have been trained to the hour to stand it. Half-time score: Scotland 7 points New Zealand 6 points.”

“Five minutes to go and Scotland a point ahead. Can anything more intensely dramatic be imagined or desired?”

“Two minutes to go. With beautiful judgment and speed, Smith (New Zealand, pictured) dodged Scoular by a foot, sprinted twenty-five yards and is over. The scene is something to be remembered. Of course, it is all over now. To make doubly sure, in the last second they score again near the posts from a loose rush. Then the whistle went on the most exciting game I have ever seen. New Zealand won by four tries (12 points) to Scotland one dropped goal, one try (7 points).” – “The Impressionist”, The Empire News, 19 November 1905.

Part Seven: The Second Test

Ireland v New Zealand

After their victory against Scotland, New Zealand met Ireland at Lansdowne Road, Dublin on 25 November 1905. On the Thursday before the Test Match, both teams attended the theatre together, sitting alternatively so that they could better mix. IRFU officials also took the New Zealanders out for breakfast.

As for the match itself: “Ireland’s fifteen was virtually the great side that did so well last year, and was only just beaten for the championship by Wales at Swansea. Against the New Zealanders, it was only after a splendid match that Ireland were beaten by three goals to nil, 15 – 0. The home forwards played up to their reputation, but New Zealand turned the game by their superior work outside the scrum.” – “The Referee”, 26 November 1905.

As ever, thank you for your interest and support.

Hannah xxx

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