A Blast from the Past

Would anyone here be interested in my posting threads here about the History of
our game.tours,players,law changes etc.Say covering tours of past eras to Nz and
Europe.That is covering NZ ,Boks and Lions and there involvement I have a very
comprehensive library and a good memory.I was approached to do something on
those lines.
if so I`d be happy to oblige .

As I led you down this thread, I feel I must voice my support by shouting it from the virtual rooftops.  

Go for it, Alan!

I'd be interested in hearing some of the not very well known moments on some of the old tours. We have this picture in our mind of black and white footage that doesn't do justice to the importance of the day when really its no different to to today in terms of our passion for the game.

love to hear about the 99 call. the only video on the internet is not of the provincial game where it was first allegedly used, and the tale appears to have grown in the telling. love the story though.

Ok ,just a quickie in the 1970`s NH Coaching had caught up and overtaken the SH.
Relatively speaking the 1970`s were by results worse Periods for Bok and All Black
Rugby.
Specifically the Lions tours of 1971 and 1974,1971 was so close Goal kicking was
the difference 2-1-1 in NZ.
BUT 1974 the Lions won 3-1-0 in SA,it was decided pre Tour that the Lions were
not going to be physically intimidated.
What ever or not the reasons were true Tours to SH were perceived to be dirty.
Certainly Provinces did there best to soften up touring sides for the Home Test
sides.The card system wasn't in use and punching ,rucking in the traditional
manner plus other forms of intimidation were far more common than today.
Riot call 999,was the code for reaction to any form of intimidation.When it
was called EVERY LIONS Player would start punching the nearest opposing
player.
Theory being the Ref could`nt send the whole team off,and he would be alerted
to possible intimidation.
I think it was a mute point, because as far as I can recall only Cyril Brownlie and
Colin Meads both AllBlacks 40 years apart were sent off.That was 40 years apart
and in Meads case probably on his reputation than the actual offence.

quinsforever wrote:love to hear about the 99 call. the only video on the internet is not of the provincial game where it was first allegedly used, and the tale appears to have grown in the telling. love the story though.

Originally it was just 9 1/2