Rugby History – Page 18

Ranfurly Shield Match Savers: Wellington v Auckland 1956

by clubrugby - July 18, 2023July 18, 2023

The Wellington team with the Ranfurly Shield 1956. The Match: Wellington v Auckland, Athletic Park, 29 September 1956 Referee: W.H. Fright (Canterbury) Conditions: Fine and sunny Crowd: 20,000 The Result: Wellington 9 – Auckland 6 The Teams: Wellington: 1.W.G. Dick, 2. G. Harris, 3. I.M.H. Vodanovich, 4. D.N. McIntosh (captain), 5. J.B.S. Hutchinson, 6. I.N. MacEwan, 7.

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 050: Joey Sadler

by clubrugby - July 12, 2023

Bernard “Joey” Sadler was a supernova who burst on to the scene after leaving Wellington College in 1932 and rose to be the number one halfback in the land less than three years later on the 1935/36 tour of Britain, before he was cut down with injury the following year

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 049: Kenneth Svenson

by clubrugby - July 5, 2023July 5, 2023

Australian born and raised Kenneth ‘Snowy’ Svenson eventually played for four provinces but made his biggest mark playing for Wellington as a midfield back or wing. From Toowoomba, about an hour’s drive inland from Brisbane, Svenson started his career at the end of World War One at Whanganui before playing for

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 048: Dick Pelham and Jackie Ruru

by clubrugby - June 28, 2023

Richard Pelham (circled left) and Jackie Ruru ( circled right) as part of the 1930 New Zealand Maori team that lost 19-13 in Wellington to the touring Great Britain side. Pelham and Ruru were the side’s midfielders and both scored tries in the match. Two freakishly talented Māori sportsmen who started

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 047: Bill Elvy

by clubrugby - June 21, 2023June 21, 2023

Bill Elvy had a deadly sidestep off both feet. He put this to good use on 28 August 1929 at Athletic Park against Southland when he crossed for five of nine tries in the 35-7 win. In so doing, Elvy became the first player to score five tries for Wellington in a