General Introduction Thread

[bruce]

Sorry mate, should have explained myself a bit better. I meant Fletcher Christian of Mutiny on the Bounty fame, very distant ancestor of the captain.

The Kiwi captain's name was actually Fletcher Roy Christian, but he was called Roy. I put Fletcher in error, but to be pedantic it was correct.

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

The Kiwi captain's name was actually Fletcher Roy Christian, but he was called Roy. I put Fletcher in error, but to be pedantic it was correct.

Gotcha. Few other names coming back to me, Henry Tatana being one

 

[Miket12]

Never a rugby player, not strong enough. Middle distance running was my game so know about everyone from Arthur Lydiard to John Walker. I cycle a bit nowadays.

I only met Arthur once. I was biking out to a beach south of Auckland where I got talking to this older gentleman who was biking back to his beach house. He'd just biked from Beachlands to Papakura to get some groceries and was heading home (a round trip of over 60 kms) - and he was in his seventies by then. To begin with, he didn't tell me who he was but it became obvious as he discussed his life. It was a great experience talking to him - one very fine gentleman!!!

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

I only met Arthur once. I was biking out to a beach south of Auckland where I got talking to this older gentleman who was biking back to his beach house and we got talking. He'd just biked from Beachlands to Papakura to get some groceries and was heading home (a round trip of over 60 kms) - and he was in his seventies by then. To begin with, he didn't tell me who he was but it became obvious as he discussed his life. It was a great experience talking to him - one very fine gentleman!!!

Have you ever met his star pupil, Peter Snell?

Running is a sport for obsessives, Arthur Lydiards book was read by everyone I knew in distance running. Most training methods when I was competing were based on Arthurs ideas

 

[Miket12]

Have you ever met his star pupil, Peter Snell?

Running is a sport for obsessives, Arthur Lydiards book was read by everyone I knew in distance running. Most training methods when I was competing were based on Arthurs ideas

I haven't met Peter - but one of my lecturer's at tech was going to be one of the pacemakers at Snell's world record breaking run at Cooks Garden in Whanganui in 1962 but pulled out through injury.

If I ever get back to Dallas, I'd love to meet him if I had the opportunity.

 

[dean]

Gotcha. Few other names coming back to me, Henry Tatana being one

Here's a few, some may not have been Kiwi's but my early memories. Denis Williams of course, Paul Matete, Elliot Kereopa, Eddie Heatly, Bernie Lowther, Ernie Wiggs, Roger Bailey, Wayne Robertson ( a bit later ? ), Doug Gailey.

 

[bruce]

Gotcha. Few other names coming back to me, Henry Tatana being one

Henry Tatana and Bernie Lowther were both in the clip. I didn't see Eddie Heatley and he may not have played that test. Those three were signed by Sydney clubs the next season. Tatana and Lowther for the Bulldogs and Heatley for the Bears.

In those days once they signed for Australian or English clubs they were never selected for New Zealand again.

That was a great Kiwi side, it won the series 2 - 1.

The first test was at the Willows, you would have seen the Orchard cousins score in that game.

The second was at Castleford. Great Britain won the final test at Leeds.

If I recall Salford thrashed the Kiwis by a margin at the Willows on that tour. Once the side had sewn up the series at Castleford they got to drinking ginger ale to recuperate and the effects flowed on to games that were not on the line, as it were.

 

[bruce]

Here's a few, some may not have been Kiwi's but my early memories. Denis Williams of course, Paul Matete, Elliot Kereopa, Eddie Heatly, Bernie Lowther, Ernie Wiggs, Roger Bailey, Wayne Robertson ( a bit later ? ), Doug Gailey.

They were all Kiwis at some time, but not all were on the 1971 tour. Denis Williams is in the clip I posted.

 

[dean]

They were all Kiwis at some time, but not all were on the 1971 tour. Denis Williams is in the clip I posted.

Yes, thanks for posting that clip Bruce. We have gone backwards in pre game entertainment. Bloody cheerleaders, screaming second rate ground announcers and the occasional celebrity competition were you can win a mobile phone.

 

[mt.wellington]

The Kiwi captain's name was actually Fletcher Roy Christian, but he was called Roy. I put Fletcher in error, but to be pedantic it was correct.

Was just talking to Roy on Wednesday and he was talking about the 71 team. Very humble man who is as honest as they come. Amazing to think that his team beat Australia three times while all being amateur players yet the Aussies were all professionals. Told me he is a minister at a church in Mangere these days...

 

[bruce]

Amazing to think that his team beat Australia three times while all being amateur players yet the Aussies were all professionals.

and not just that, there were at least two Kiwis playing in Sydney who could not be selected for the side. One was Bill Noonan who played for the Bulldogs. He was a really tough prop from Canterbury. Another was Owen Stephens although I don't recall he was a regular first grader.

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

Roger 'the dodger' Millward kicking off for GB was a favourite of mine as a kid. Great player at Hull KR and then their coach. Died last year unfortunately