St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PH098

Photograph B&W, mounted and autographed by players. New Zealand Rugby Football team 1935-36. Dimensions: w24 3/4" x h23 1/2" (w63cm x h59.5cm)

Photograph

CIC

1935-1936

This signed copy of the 'All Blacks' touring squad of 1935-36 was presented to Swansea RFC after they had defeated New Zealand on 28th September 1935 at st Helen's by 11 - 3. Swansea had thus become the first ever club side to have defeated a New Zealand team and also the first to have defeated all three of the southern hemisphere 'big three' of New Zealand, Australia (1908) and South Africa (1912). The 'All Black' under the captaincy of Jack Manchester played 28 matches on the tour, winning 24, drawing 1 and losing 3. Swansea were the first to beat them on the tour. A 3 - 3 draw was made with Ulster and New Zealand lost to Wales (13 - 12) and England (13 - 0). Speaking to the New Zealand press after losing to Swansea, 'All Blacks' captain Jack Manchester said: "Tell them back home we have been beaten. But please don't tell them it was by a pair of schoolboys." The reference was to the young Swansea half-backs Haydn Tanner and Willie Davies, who were cousins and both still attending Gowerton Grammar School. The Photograph was taken at their tour base of Newton Abbot. This had been the base of operations for the 1905 and 1924 'All Blacks' tourists as well. Personnel in the photograph: Back Row (L to R): H. M. Brown wing 3/4, G. D. M. Gilbert full-back, F. H. Vorrath utility forward, W. R. Collins lock, S. T. Reid lock & flanker, J. J. Best loose forward, N. A Mitchell 3/4. 3rd Row (L to R): T. H. C. Caughey 3/4 & 2nd 5/8, R. R. King lock, H. F. McLean loose forward, GJ. G. Wynyard loose forward, A. Mahoney loose forward, R. M. MacKenzie flanker & lock, G. T. A. Adkins prop, C. S. Pepper prop. 2nd Row (L to R): A. Lambourn hooker & prop, W. E. Hadley hooker, G. F. Hart wing 3/4, J. E. Manchester (captain) flanker, V. R. S. Meredith (Tour Manager), C. J. Oliver (vice-captain) 3/4 & 2nd 5/8, J. Hore hooker & prop,
D. Dalton prop & hooker, D. Solomon 5/8 & full-back. Front Row (L to R): N. Ball wing 3/4, E. W. T. Tindill half-back & 1st 5/8, B. S. Sadler half-back, M. M. N. Corner half-back, J. L. Griffiths 5/8 & centre 3/4, J. R. Page centre 3/4.

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