France vs New Zealand (first test, 1961)

Doubly fascinating! - for those of us who were "alive" it was amazing to "update" one's own memory regarding how much less "regimented" and spontaneous the rugby was - far less technically perfect than now, but having a kind of spirit completely freed of the deadening hand of professionalism.For younger people who never experienced this "live" it would probably have all seemed "quaint", wholehearted, but lacking in skill and polish - a different world,indeed! Thanks to whomever had the idea to make this available. A request - could we PLEASE have the same series' "horror" Second Test in the gale at Athletic Park?

This takes us back to a time when "pot" meant a drop kick, when hair was short, classical music was thought suitable to accompany film of a rugby match, and there was no need for security to keep people off the ground.

The players were not nearly as fast as today's professionals, nor did they tackle as hard as they do now.

Thanks for such a trip back into our past.

thanks very much , this was a rare treat indeed

That's Sandra Coney's dad, Tom Pearce (Sandra Coney's dad) accompanying the Governor-General onto the field, at 0.51.

Brilliant production; thanks so much for putting it up. Could you please post up some more France-All Black matches---especially the third test from 1968, also at Eden Park?