Through Scrummage, Three Quarters and All

This National Film Unit newsreel offers a wide-ranging look at ‘the national game’ in 1966. A muddy potted history (scored to rugby folk song ‘On the Ball’) rakes from the age grades to a Ranfurly Shield match, to the apex: the All Blacks. Ex-All Black fullback Bob Scott talks about the need for ‘four stone bantams’ to enjoy the game, while fellow AB Don ‘The Boot’ Clarke discusses the problems for a country player; Wellington College’s 1st XV plays a ‘traditional’ against Nelson in front of a mass haka on the terraces; and club players explain why they play (“it’s a manly game”).

... the early settlers, after years of trying many games, adopted the sport of rugby. It apparently appealed to the temperament of these rugged pioneers, for it quickly grew in popularity as a relaxation after a hard week’s work.

– From the narration

Key Cast & Crew

John Cooper

Director, Writer

Oxley Hughan

Producer

Geoffrey Scott

Producer

Kit Rollings

Sound

Kell Fowler

Camera