Kōrero: Rugby union

Fourth test, 1956 (1 o 2)

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.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection, Peter Bush
Photograph by Peter Bush

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Sound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (Peter Jones, 1956/Reference ID23252).

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Ron Palenski, 'Rugby union - International rugby – southern hemisphere', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/speech/40032/fourth-test-1956 (accessed 29 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Ron Palenski, i tāngia i te 5 Sep 2013, updated 1 Sep 2016