The news broke up yesterday : All Blacks v France will kick off next Rugby World Cup in New Zealand !
Okaaaaay... three more years to go... a loooong time ahead, I agree, but I must confess that I am starting to elaborate plans to travel down there...
As a matter of coincidence, I receiced yesterday this funny cartoon from Christchurch, NZ, which show an interrogating "All Black" kiwi and a distressed "French" rooster, after the 3rd Test Match of France tour in NZ, 1961.
The kiwi - wearing a "made in Europe " rugby crown - says "Queerest Rooster I ever saw - He laid an egg !", wheras the egg reads "Top Grade Reputation - Second Grade Performance"... no comment ! (full size pic here)
I know... rugby memorabilia from the 60s isn't exactly my "pioneers" era... but apart from the topic (disclaimer : I am French...), I've found this item weird enough to join my collection... Actually, it's a 7" vinyl record of the commmentary of the game by Bob Irvine, published by HMV and NZ Broadcasting Service. Yes ! a rugby game on a record...!
That day, a solid All Blacks side captained by Colin Meads defeated France 32 - 3 at Christchurch (5 tries to 1). Three tests and three disapointing defeats for a French side who was at the time the strongest European team (led by François Moncla with Guy & André Boniface, Guy Camberabero, Pierre Lacroix, Michel Crauste, Amédée Domenech...).
Time goes by... and nothing changes...
PS - and teaser ! - : I recently acquired "The Complete Rugby Footballer by D.Gallaher & W.J.Stead" written in 1906 by All Blacks captain and vice-captain Gallaher and Stead... the "Master" of all rugby books that I'll be happy to display and comment here...
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