We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for Men of the Silver Fern - A Winning Reputation (1870 - 1924)

Men of the Silver Fern - A Winning Reputation (1870 - 1924)

Television (Full Length Episode) – 1993

The Natives won 80 out of their 108 games, and established New Zealand's reputation in Britain as a great rugby playing nation. But their success only complicated things back home in New Zealand...
– From the narration
As for the siting of the headquarters, Wellington is only three days travel from the most distant union.
– A comment during the (dramatised) debate about forming a national rugby union
Rugby may never have happened in New Zealand if it hadn't been for Charles Monro.
– From the narration
One prominent critic hit the right key when he changed the team name from 'All Blacks' to 'all backs'.
– Billy Stead (played by Stephen Lovatt)
"Why are they beating us? Is it brains or physique?"
– The English ask the eternal question of the colonial upstart All Blacks

If you liked this, you might also like...

Thumbnail image for Men of the Silver Fern
Series

Men of the Silver Fern

Never broadcast on local TV, Men of the Silver...

Thumbnail image for Men of the Silver Fern - Trouble in the Engine Room (1925 - 1956)

Men of the Silver Fern - Trouble in the Engine Room (1925 - 1956)

The next episode of this series

Thumbnail image for Legends of the All Blacks - The Legend Begins: The Battle with Britain

Legends of the All Blacks - The Legend Begins: The Battle with Britain

A 1999 series on NZ rugby

Thumbnail image for The Game of Our Lives - Home and Away

The Game of Our Lives - Home and Away

A 1996 history of rugby and NZ

Thumbnail image for Warbrick

Warbrick

A short film about NZ Natives' captain Joe Warbrick

Thumbnail image for All Blacks Invincibles Tour

All Blacks Invincibles Tour

Footage from the Invincibles tour

Thumbnail image for The Good, the Bad and the Rugby

The Good, the Bad and the Rugby

A later All Blacks tour

Thumbnail image for Old Scores

Old Scores

Another controversial match with Wales

Thumbnail image for This is Your Life - George Nepia

This is Your Life - George Nepia

George Nepia was a star of the 1924 All Blacks

Thumbnail image for All Blacks for Africa - A Black and White Issue

All Blacks for Africa - A Black and White Issue

The All Blacks a century on

Thumbnail image for Through Scrummage, Three Quarters and All

Through Scrummage, Three Quarters and All

Another version of 'On the Ball'

Thumbnail image for Savage Play
Series

Savage Play

Drama based on the NZ Natives tour

Thumbnail image for Richard John Seddon - Premier

Richard John Seddon - Premier

Includes the 1905 Originals

Thumbnail image for France vs All Blacks 1994 - the try from the end of the world

France vs All Blacks 1994 - the try from the end of the world

A famous French try against the All Blacks

Thumbnail image for Close Up - All Blacks interview (June 2005)

Close Up - All Blacks interview (June 2005)

2005 All Blacks interview

Thumbnail image for New Zealand Mirror No. 24

New Zealand Mirror No. 24

Also features Stan Dean

Thumbnail image for Loading Docs 2017 - Union

Loading Docs 2017 - Union

Documentary about a club rugby player

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 3 - Ranji Wilson

Great War Stories 3 - Ranji Wilson

A short documentary about All Black Ranji Wilson

Thumbnail image for The Game of Our Lives - Tries and Penalties

The Game of Our Lives - Tries and Penalties

More footage of early All Blacks

Thumbnail image for The Brown Factor

The Brown Factor

A documentary about Māori and Pacific Islanders in modern...