Rich history ready for new chapter
Herald reporter Heath Moore is spending five weeks in a Maui campervan following the Lions fans. This is his latest report
Who would have known Maori rugby dates back to 1888, four years before the New Zealand Rugby Union was born.
As the Lions embark on another of their 10 tour matches, Saturday’s game will be a pivotal point in the history of Maori rugby.
While the Red Army make their way up from the deep south, the people of Rotorua are bubbling with excitement.
A recently opened exhibition which showcases the rich history of Maori rugby, has created a buzz.
Just 12 years ago, the Maori All Blacks, led by coach Matt Te Pou, toppled the Lions in Hamilton in what would be their first victory over the Northerners in eight attempts.
During Te Pou’s reign, he won 35 out of 40 games including victories over the British and Irish Lions, England, Ireland, Scotland, Argentina, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
But what does rugby mean to Maori?
Te Pou summed it up best when he said: “We as Maori already grabbed hold of this game. The game was in the On the road with maraes, in the tribal system. Maoridom took to the game. It was part of our culture. Our people are extremely proud to be a Maori All Blacks.
“There is a collectiveness about it. I believe that the Maori battalion during the war and the NZ Maori All Blacks are the only two groups that can unite all Iwi across the country together.
“Because they are fiercely independent it’s hard for any leader to pull them together, but come Saturday when the team comes together, we’ll all be behind them.”
New Zealanders know the history of the black jersey but what has been neglected, until now, is the proud and rich history and journey of the Maori jersey.
While walking through the exhibition, a swarm of school children and local Maori filled the room. Pointing, smiling and soaking every last drop of knowledge up.
Then the Maori All Blacks team showed up. I stood back and watched as Nehe MilnerSkudder studied intently the Maori’s history against the Lions. As teammates moved from section to section, MilnerSkudder was still there absorbing the information.
On show is history from the original Native team of 1888, the first Maori and Lions clash of 1930, the threat of league, historical tours of Europe as well as the greatest Maori All Blacks XV of all time.
From iconic players like Buck Shelford and George Nepia to the coaches that inspired such as Te Pou, the longest serving Maori All Blacks coach, the exhibition is a look into the history and influence Maori have had on New Zealand’s national game.
The exhibition is a must for all New Zealand rugby fans. As Te Pou says, the power of the Maori All Blacks to unite a nation is something special.
While the Maori All Blacks have beaten the Lions only once in eight attempts, you get the feeling the Maori are on the verge of creating another inspiring chapter in their already successful history.