Story: Rugby union

The final test against South Africa at Eden Park, Auckland, in 1956 was an epic game for New Zealand rugby supporters. The All Blacks were leading 2–1 in the first series against South Africa, since they had been beaten 4–0 in South Africa in 1949. There was a huge crowd of 61,240, and at half-time the All Blacks were only leading 3–0. Five minutes into the second half the tall number 8, Peter Jones, grabbed a bouncing ball and raced clear to score near the posts. It was the vital moment in the game, which the All Blacks eventually won 11–5, thus clinching the series. After the game the crowds flocked onto the park, and in this photograph one ecstatic fan can even be seen most of the way up a goal post. The hero of the match, Peter Jones, was interviewed by Colin Snedden and uttered the immortal words, ‘I’m absolutely buggered’, the first time that expletive had been heard on national radio. Listen to a recording of that interview.

Transcript

And here's Don Clark just climbing over the rail by us here now. And they're lifting the microphone over in front, so that they'll be able to speak into it. Now here is John Clarke.

Thanks everybody. The shortest speech on record, Peter Jones.

Well ladies and gentlemen, I hope I never play as tough a game again as I did today, I'm absolutely buggered!

[Laughter]

Oh well we'll ignore that and we'll go on to the next statement! Listeners in South Africa please note. Well that's Peter Jones, he's rough and he's tough but you've got admire him,  he's honest. He's honest that's exactly what he felt. He said what he felt.