Next pile of metal and wood

[Spasm]

The first All Blacks team (also known simply as 'The Originals') were the first New Zealand national rugby union team to tour outside Australasia. They toured Britain. France and the United States of America during 1905–1906. Their opening game was against Devon on 16 September 1905 whom they defeated 55–4. Such was the surprise that some newspapers in Britain printed that Devon had scored 55 points and not the All Blacks. They went on to defeat every English side that they faced, including a 16–3 victory over English county champions Durham, and a 32–0 victory over Blackhealth (Mervyn's old local team). They defeated Scotland, Ireland and England. The team's only loss of the tour was a 3–0 defeat by Wales at Cardiff Arms Park (which actually now ajoins the Millenium Stadium).

The loss was highly controversial with the All Black's wing Bob Deans claiming to have scored a try that would have brought them level. Dave Gallaher said that the referee had called the game correctly and was very accepting to the loss. They managed narrow wins against the Welsh club teams and went on to play France (who they obviously mashed). They returned to New Zealand via North America where they played two matches against Canadian teams as the US teams ran away after witnessing the Haka. Overall they played a total of thirty-five matches, which included five Tests, and only lost once—the defeat by Wales.

The 1905 All Blacks tour of Britain went on to achieve legendary status within the rugby world and New Zealand in particular. They scored 976 points and conceded only 59, and thus set the standard for all subsequent All Black sides.

Edited December 5, 2014 by Spasm

[TacHel]

Beautiful!