New Zealand to re-enact first NZ Rugby Game

Nelson, New Zealand – You might be mistaken for thinking you’ve stepped back in time if you visit the South Island town of Nelson tomorrow. The town, more often famous as the sunniest place in New Zealand and the arts and crafts capital of the country, will don it’s Victorian-era best, and celebrate it’s identity as the Birthplace of New Zealand Rugby by re-enacting the first game, which was held in Nelson on the 14th May 1870.

The game will be played between original rivals Nelson College and Nelson Rugby Club who faced off almost 150 years ago, with Nelson Rugby Club taking the honours 2-0. The two teams will wear re-created versions of their original uniform and the town will be coming out in force to support the players, wearing Victorian dress and celebrating with a Penny Farthing race, traditional pyramid formations and brass band performances.

The Nelson College team will be made up of the school’s first XV and supported by famous old boys such as ex All Blacks John Loveday and Wyatt Crockett; while the Nelson Rugby Club team will be stacked with local Tasman Makos and Canterbury Crusaders heroes including Tom Marshall and Andrew Goodman. Match ups include several family face offs, with brothers playing against brothers, fathers vs sons, plus the Great Great Nephew of Charles Monro (the father of New Zealand Rugby) will take the field for Nelson College, playing the same game his very famous relative first introduced in 1870.

The re-enactment game will follow the 1862 rules of rugby, with one important omission – hacking, which involves kicking an opposition player in the shins until they release the ball. “We decided that hacking was a bit cruel, plus we want to be able to walk to the pub after the match!” says organiser and Nelson Rugby Club player Jack McNabb, who has grown a significant moustache in order to look more like the men of the day.

The 1862 rules vary vastly from the modern game, and will see 18 players take the field from each team, vying to place the ball across the line which will give them the opportunity to kick for goal and score 1 point. This early version of rugby is where the word “try” originates, as getting the ball across the line does not score any points, only gives the team a “try” at kicking for goal. Although Nelson Rugby Club took out the honours in 1870, it is anyone’s game as these 36 men try to play a game that is as new to them as it was to their ancestors.

Over 10,000 spectators are expected at the game, who will also be treated to one of the largest haka ever seen, when 1500 Nelson College schoolboys will perform their stirring school haka, celebrating the start of the re-enactment game.