St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future
Six
Transcript:
This is part six and the penultimate part in the trail following the tours of the New Zealand All Blacks in the UK between 1905 and 1989. The previous part explored the two tours of the 1960’s, whilst this part explores a decade later: the tour of 1972.
This jersey is another black New Zealand jersey. Once again, and having by this point permanently left behind the more elaborate designs explored in the earliest parts of this trail, this jersey is detailed with a white buttoned collar, and a large fern leaf motif on the breast. On the rear is a large white number 7, with a black-white stroke design. As is common due to the way in which many of these jerseys have been displayed in the past, this jersey has suffered some UV fading in a clear square section where it has been folded and left in direct view of the sun. The fading is minor, but noticeable.
This jersey was worn by All Blacks captain Ian Kirkpatrick, who swapped it with Mervyn Davies who would later donate this and many more jerseys to the archive personally. Another trail on the archive website details Mervyn’s story in much greater detail but to give a small piece of that here: Mervyn Davies and Ian Kirkpatrick had previously met when the British and Irish Lions toured New Zealand in 1971, the year before this All-Blacks tour in question. Both Davies and Kirkpatrick played in all four tests in New Zealand, so they had experience facing each other by the following year. The Lion’s had won their tour as a whole, 2-1, as they drew the final test. But in 1972, divided as the home nations individually and not the ‘Lions’, the British were not so successful against the All Blacks. Wales v. New Zealand, the first test on 2nd of December 1972 ended in 16-19 to the All Blacks. This jersey emerged from that game. Phil Bennett, Wales and Llanelli fly-half, took a late penalty that would have drawn the match, but it was not meant to be, and the kick was missed. The following test matches versus Scotland and England ended 14-19 and 9-0 respectively, both All Black wins. Ireland however drew with the tourists, 10-10, and on the final test of the tour, on the 10th of February 1973, France won 13-6.
Interestingly, in the club matches, the All Blacks lost to a range of teams. The team lost to Llanelli, North Western Counties, Midland Counties (West), and the Barbarians, and drew with Munster. No game was played at St Helen’s nor against Swansea, a situation that caused some controversy and also disappointment among the New Zealanders.
There was a following tour in the 1970’s, as the New Zealand All Blacks once again toured Ireland, England and Wales to celebrate the centenary of the Irish Rugby Football Union. A Welsh XV was played during this tour, but for the most part the tour took place in Ireland. This resulted in yet another tour without a visit to St Helen’s however.
The next and final part of this trail takes a deep dive into the New Zealand tours of the 1980s. The next New Zealand All Blacks tour wouldn’t be until 1989, but two other teams visited prior to them. Follow on to find out more. Please don’t forget to press next.