The Silver Fern

@higgins
Jack Alabaster was my maths teacher at Southland Boys, I had the privilege of being caned by him. There was no mistaking that legspin tweak in the delivery.

The Fern lets me through the defences again, to unload some ancient history.
What about that fourth test against the Boks in 1956?
It was a time when New Zealand had a monolithic rugby culture. There was national unity in the desire to beat these more-than-lifesized invaders. That desire was the highest form of passion allowed a Kiwi bloke.
Selwyn Toogood commentated. Peter Jones scored the clinching try. And we heard the word “buggered” for the first time on air.
I argue that no game since has mattered as deeply to a larger percentage of New Zealander’s.

@Bovidae
Yep. I'm going.
Wind and snow in the high country.
Needs must, a warm-up pint of IPA at Murpys.

@taniwharugby
When Mark Shaw was 20, he was playing for Belsize Park RFC in London. Rare was the Saturday when the opposing forward pack was not enraged and outraged. He had a talent for generating power with a punch that travelled no more than 12 inches.

@booboo Thank you. Not that you are asking, but a) neglecting homework, b) being a smart-arse, c) three strokes.
Respect to Ross Taylor and for his fine achievements.

I have only just read Chris B.’s post of three days ago, in the context of some posts about the Grizz Wylie era. The number 7 through that Shield era, and against the 1971 Lions, was Alex Matheson.
Alex unfortunately passed two weeks ago.
He used to say that the violent legend of that game was exaggerated and mostly created by the northern media.
Fergie had a certain changing room reputation which you may have heard, Chris?

New Zealanders.