Cheers Mark
Hi Jim
Loved your story about the 1996 South African tour in the August/September issue. I have such vivid memories as a 13 year-old getting up in the middle of night to watch every test with my Dad on that tour. Hoping that we would exact some revenge from the World Cup final the previous year… (my bedroom door had a hole kicked in it after that loss). The Pretoria test in particular stands out to me, as my all time favourite All Black Zinzan Brooke played such a starring role. Firstly with his try from a classic set piece move from the scrum, secondly with his drop goal (that only Zinny could do), and finally with him putting his body on the line at the end of match with the rest of the team (when the full time whistle just seemed like it would never come), chucking themselves into the Springboks tap penalty mauls to save the test.
Such a shame that the 100 test between these two great rugby nations is no longer being played at Forsyth Barr Stadium, but I can’t wait for their rivalry to resume in Townsville. It’s been two years since we last played them and this match will be a great benchmark to see whether or not this current All Black team is heading in the right direction.