The New Zealand Maaori Tour 1952

Now that the Super 14 competition in underway it is always interesting to look back over the history of rugby and see how much has changed. As a youngster I spent many days on the side of paddock watching my father play for Hinuera (and to be honest, wondering why he was never involved in the scrum - I guess I learnt that a half back has a different role as I got older) come rain, hail or shine.

Without a doubt the game is now faster, more physically demanding and mentally challenging for players, but as a spectator, the game is still as exciting as ever to watch both live and on the endless number of television chanels broadcasting sport. I wonder how many readers out there have spent their Saturday in their swandry, redband gumboots and brolly on the sideline (and that is right on the sideline) watching their boys play. Surely there is nothing more thrilling than watchng your team make a break along the wing to the try line, espcially when you can walk out on to the field to see what is happening - grassroots rugby in New Zealand is great!

In the Spring 1952 edition of the Te Ao Hou magazine, Ralph LOVE writes about 'Touring with the New Zealand Maori Rugby Team'. In the article, Love describes the final match between the Maaori and a New Zealand team staged as a tribute to His Excellency the Govenor General Lord Freyberg, V.C and his wife "as a unique event" attended by 30,000 at Athletic Park, Wellington. Despite the Maaori team losing 28 -22 the Evening Post pointed out "Nobody cared very much about the 6-point margin, or which ever side it favoured".

Depending on where the game is being played, 30,000 isn't huge given that Waikato Stadium alone has a capacity of 25,000 but in 1952 many of the supporters who attended the match were mostly Maaori and who had travelled by bus from Taranaki, Wanganui, Maniapoto, Manawatu, Hawke's Bay, and from as far afield as Whakatane and Ruatoria. In the 1950s, it is likely that the buses used would have travelled at no more than 30 miles an hour, would have had bench seating and been full of fun. Roads in those days were mostly metal and hard going. Amazing to see that the love of rugby is as strong then as it is now.

Another great Maaori rugby history resource is the book Beneath the Maori Moon which is available at your local library.

For those who are strong supporters of Mooloos and the Chiefs, no doubt you would have seen and maybe even admired the carved gateway which dominates the south-eastern corner of the Waikato Stadium. Recently I interviewed carver, Wiremu Puke about the gateway and its significance, the article can be found here.