Rugby-Pioneers: 2011: Year of the All Blacks

26/01/2011

2011: Year of the All Blacks

My (rugby) predictions for 2011 are easy and simple: 2011 will be the year of the All Blacks!

The All Blacks have "rendez-vous" with the History of Rugby World Cup on Sunday October 23 in Auckland... and to tell you everything, I've just placed a bet on England as runner-up...

Well, we'll just have to wait for nine months ! In the meantime, let me share this "Rugby Almanack of New Zealand". Here is the 1935 issue, the very first of a long series... as this New Zealand rugby's book of records is now in its 76th edition. This first Almanack was edited by A.H.Carman, NZ rugby historian and prolific writer (and former referee) Arthur.C.Swan (cf that former post) and former 1924-25 All Black Read Masters (photo).

Inside pages show all possible records and stats about NZ rugby in 1934, along with fine illustrations such as this map of New Zealand with the portrays of the five players of the year, namely W.E.Hadley (Auckland), R.L.Clarke (Taranaki), H.T.Lilburne (Wellington), G.F.Hart (Canterbury) and J.Hore (Otago).

This Almanack had been regularly published with the same cover and different colours until 1965... when someone decided to change for a modern photographic cover of little interest... I've "borrowed" the following "patchwork" from rugbyrelics.com fame where you can also purchase some copies of this fine book (I'm quite sure that Dai won't mind this free advertising...)

(NB: I've got some memorabilia about 1935 All Blacks tour in Great Britain to share... another time...)

26 Jan 2011 01:25:22 | 1 Rugby print, 5 Other rugby stuff

5 Comments

I used the basis of the design of the NZ rugby almanack for the header of my blog. I made contact with A.H.Carman's grandson who is still part of the publishing of this great book that records the history of NZ rugby. It was one of the first books I came across as a young boy living within walking distance of Eden Park, that famous rugby ground in Auckland.I have been mad about rugby stats for the last 50 years.

the design used thus..http://rugby-international.blogspot.com/

and my web site is www.rugbyinternational.net

Posted by: Gary Carbines | 29/01/2011 at 21:29

With the stats on world standing no doubt!

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