Oldest Rugby Club in NZ retains title

 Nelson Rugby Club took out a title first won by it’s predecessors in 1870 when they faced off against their 19th Century rivals Nelson College today, in a re-enactment of the first game of rugby in New Zealand.

A crowd of over 7000 gathered at the Botanics in Nelson to witness Nelson Rugby Club and Nelson College face off in a re-match of the game played at the same location on the 14th of May 1870. Nelson, which is renowned as the sunniest place in New Zealand, lived up to its reputation and the game was performed in perfect conditions to a truly receptive crowd of locals peppered with international visitors, including members of the Italian rugby team, whom Nelson is playing host to during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Following the 1862 rules of rugby, the game had 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, and we wanted to be able to walk to the pub later too!” says organiser Jack McNabb. McNabb grew a moustache especially for the event, in order to look more like the men of the time.

The Nelson College team was 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 was stacked with local Tasman Makos heroes. Match ups included several family face offs, with brothers playing against brothers, fathers vs sons, plus the Great Great Nephew of the father of New Zealand Rugby Charles Monro taking the field for Nelson College, playing the same game his very famous relative first introduced in 1870.

The original 1870 game was won by Nelson Rugby Club who took out the honours 2-0, however today’s match saw the older men beating Nelson College 3-1. The two teams wore re-created versions of their original uniform and the town came out in force to support the players, wearing Victorian dress and celebrating with a Penny Farthing race, traditional pyramid formations and brass band performances. A Victorian era streaker, dressed in full 19th Century underwear and chased by rotund policemen also delighted the crowd.

Spectators were also earlier witness to one of the largest haka ever help, when 1500 Nelson College schoolboys performed their school haka on the main street of Nelson. The stirring haka was led by Nelson College’s Deputy Maori Head Boy Te Wera Mihaere, whose brother led the haka which welcomed the world to New Zealand in the official Rugby World Cup 2011 Opening Ceremony.