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And so as one great shield era ended, another which would be even greater was about to begin. In addition to the 1st XV competition there a number of lower-grade (non-1st XV) and girls competitions. READ MORE: * Photos chronicling the storming of Hamilton's Rugby Park on show at Waikato Museum for anniversary of Springbok Tour protests * Errol Tobias hails 1981 Springbok tour protests in NZ for showing South Africa 'apartheid had to end' * '81 Springbok protests galvanises a nation divided - 150 Years of News, Thomas acknowledges that public opposition had set the stage. Rugby : opposing team statistics Moana Pasifika and Waikato Chiefs (New Zealand) . Latest breaking news articles, photos, video, blogs, reviews, analysis, opinion and reader comment from New Zealand and around the World - NZ Herald Like others up and down the motu (country), Hansens stance on the tour caused deep divisions in his personal life. There was not then the flexibility which exists now where with more floodlit grounds games can be spread over Friday and Saturday nights and on Sunday afternoons. Study for FREE with Auckland Rugby at Eden Park, This one-year course is fully funded NO COST TO STUDENTS. With six titles in the 1990s and four in the 2000s, Auckland's domination of the New Zealand rugby landscape continued. The Springboks lost both test matches against Australia and three of their four matches with All Blacks. Formula 1. Since 1902 there have been three notable shield eras: from 1905 to 1913 there were 23 challenges repelled, another 25 between 1960 and 1963, and 61 challenges in the period from 1985 to 1993. He also employed the age-old tradition of carrying the ball in two hands, fooling many defences. A mobile and hard-nosed hooker who came in to replace injured skipper Andy Dalton in the 1987 World Cup-winning All Blacks and went on to form one of the great front rows in New Zealand history alongside Olo Brown and Craig Dowd. The supporters club is currently located under the North (ASB) Stand at Eden Park. Notable rugby schools in Auckland include Auckland Grammar School, De La Salle College, Kelston Boys High School, King's College, Mount Albert Grammar School, Sacred Heart College and St Kentigern College. Holding a tenure of five seasons leading the Blue and. A century of the Ranfurly Shield by Lindsay Knight. Hansen also reviewed the compensation application of Teina Pora, who was eventually awarded $3.5 million for his wrongful conviction. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. The 1985 England rugby union tour of New Zealand was a series of seven matches played by the England national rugby union team in New Zealand in May and June 1985. [2] There was an undefeated run in the early 1920s under Sir Vincent Meredith. Live Statistics. Then another idea filtered through. The Wallabies are a proud part of Rugby AU. Games . Sir Wilson Whineray, who captained Auckland through those years, describes the period as one of "excitement, drama and fervor that transformed Eden Park into an oasis of magic during the winters of 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963.". Auckland were the first holders of the Ranfurly Shield in 1902 and have won 153 out of 194 shield matches the most successful record of any provincial union. It was not entirely coincidental and owed much to Canterburys laudable gesture in how their 1985 programme was structured. Players who have represented the Auckland Rugby Union by playing for the Auckland representative rugby union team. Attiva dal 1906, oper per i primi 13 anni di attivit sotto la giurisdizione dell'U.S.F.S.A. A formidable team: John Marshall QC, Ted Thomas, QC, Dame Sian Elias and Paddy Finnigan photographed in July 1985. Quite the same Wikipedia. His new baby daughter required surgery and Recordon flew home most nights to be with his family. Programme Auckland v England. It is played over three weeks. In 1961 against Thames Valley and in 1962 against Auckland all the Clarke brothers played together as one-third of the team. With six titles in the 1990s, and four so far in the new century, Auckland's domination of the New Zealand rugby landscape continues. On the first day Recordon was tapped on the shoulder by Elias and told his wife had given birth in Auckland. The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. About Sanzaar; Super Rugby; The Rugby Championship; Contact Sanzaar; Follow Us. While the court agreed the unions council had the right to make the decision, it ruled Finnigan and Recordon could bring their case and said the players were linked to the union by a chain of contracts. The Court of Appeal observed many New Zealanders believed touring South Africa could seriously affect the countrys international relations and that Finnigan and Recordon should not be dismissed as mere busybodies, cranks or other mischief-makers. View the full NPC - Division One 1985 page. Recordon agrees, but says while some accepted it, others believed the lawyers had pulled the wool over the judges eyes. Auckland were the first holders of the shield in 1902 and have won 153 out of 194 shield matches up to 2007 the most successful record of any provincial union. Redefined the game with his size and power on the wing. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. But who are the best Auckland players? As soon as we filed our proceedings, and there was publicity, about half the guys said they wouldnt play if I was playing, recalls Recordon. image [Rugby football programmes featuring New Zealand national, provincial or club teams. England's rugby squad arrives home today from a disastrous tour of New Zealand wrecked by sexual assault claims. He said: Yes I know but what has to be done, has to be done.. PARTNERING WITH SOUTH SEAS HEALTHCARE TO SUPPORT SOUTH AUCKLAND FAMILIES Read More. He says while serving as president of the Auckland University Students Association several irksome members had challenged association decisions using its own founding document. 1988 NZ Mori tours Italy, France, Spain and Argentina. Ian Foster played a record 148 games for Waikato between 1985 and 1998. The ground opened in 1900 and also is used for cricket. Early in his career Mealamu brought a dynamic running game, one enhanced by his low centre of gravity and ferocious approach. In addition to the Men's 1st XV, the ARU has a number of other representative teams for both Men and Women. Canterbury, especially Robbie Deans at fullback and Victor Simpson at centre, made many errors which Auckland exploited for tries by Joe Stanley, John Kirwan, Terry Wright and John Drake. The Auckland Rugby Football Union (ARFU) was officially formed in 1883, when it joined the Canterbury, Wellington and Otago unions in the fledgling New Zealand Rugby Football Union. The cornerstone of the great Auckland, Blues and All Blacks teams of his era. It proved unsuccessful in 20th century New Zealand. Auckland are the top representative rugby union team of the Auckland Rugby Football Union in New Zealand. An attempt to stop the 1970 All Blacks tour used a legal writ dating back to the English Renaissance . Sir Wilson Whineray, who captained Auckland through those years and the All Blacks in 30 tests from 1957 to 1965, describes the period as one of "excitement, drama and fervor that transformed Eden Park into an oasis of magic during the winters of 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963." The union was successful in its bid to have the case struck out at the High Court in Auckland. It attracted wall-to-wall media coverage. The Red Roses set a world-record 30-match winning streak on the way to the World Cup final. We'll update you with all things Auckland Rugby, from NPC news to Club and School. The 2007 team was the first since the 1990 side to remain unbeaten in a season and win the Ranfurly Shield and the provincial championship. Just better. This is a list of players who have represented New Zealand from the Auckland representative rugby union team. Why not challenge the unions decision based on its own constitution? The 1st XV competition is split across three divisions, these being 1A, 1B and 1C. When we first meet her at the start of the new BBC/HBO dark comedy Rain Dogs she's being kicked out of her flat, along with her 10 . Hospital authorities moved Recordons French wife into the basement of National Womens Hospital as a safety precaution. It is similar to the Ranfurly Shield, where it is only up for grabs at home games of the trophy holder. Espaol; Since taking the shield from Wellington in 1982 Canterbury by the time of the 1985 match against Auckland had equalled the record sequence for defences, the 25 the Auckland sides of Fred Allen had compiled between 1960 and 1963. Protesters on the streets of Auckland during the 1981 Springbok tour. English Articles. Winning the toss, Canterburys captain Don Hayes conceded first use of the wind and that could not have suited the Auckland game plan better. It was not the first time the courts had been used to challenge sporting contact with South Africa. He was a powerhouse with ball in hand. The Gallaher Shield is awarded to the winner of the senior premier club rugby competition, for overall club records see Gallaher Shield page. Hague suggested a similar strategy could be used against the Rugby Union by targeting its constitutional objectives to promote, foster and develop the game and to act in the interests of rugby. They created the climate.. Played a then record 93 tests for the All Blacks, and captained them on 62 occasions. They had, in effect, in their different ways taken New Zealand rugby to the verge of professionalism. Brooke was an extraordinarily gifted footballer, with skills and a derring-do that made him so much more than just a capable back-of-the-scrum man for dominant Auckland, Blues and All Blacks sides of the '80s and '90s. Players like Andy Haden, Sean Fitzpatrick, John Drake, Olo Brown, Zinzan and Robin Brooke, Gary and Alan Whetton, Michael Jones, Steve McDowall, Grant Fox, Bernie McCahill, Grant Dickson, Mark Carter, Joe Stanley, John Kirwan and Terry Wright were important in Auckland's success in that last period. Eden Park,. Sign up to receive our new evening newsletter Two Minutes of Stuff - the news, but different. A true legend of the New Zealand game based on his unwavering strength and dominance as a hard-running, big-tackling No 8, and also his outstanding leadership. He represents the future of Rugby in Oz, uniting and inspiring all of the nation. CANTERBURY V AUCKLAND Lancaster Park, Christchurch, September 14, 1985 Andy Haden - Lock who was a key influence for Auckland Warwick Taylor - Canterbury second-five, reflected the game was a good advertisement for rugby From "The Shield. Just six days before the All Blacks were due to depart, Thomas got to his feet and asked for an interim injunction to stop the team departing before the case was decided. The Fred Allen Trophy is also played for during the round-robin phase. Superb goal-kicking first-five who embodied the essence of guiding a team around the park. Played much of his career alongside brother Robin. Players like Kees Meeuws, Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams, Justin Collins, Xavier Rush, Steve Devine, Brad Mika, Ben Atiga, Doug Howlett, Daniel Braid, Brent Ward and Angus Macdonald contributed to that success. See also: List of England national rugby union team matches. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. P. 216-218. Level 6 North Stand, Gate B, Walters Rd, Eden Park, PO Box 56-152, Dominion Road, Auckland 1446. The club's emblem is the "Flying Elephant", which was agreed upon after a competition to find a mascot was found. Keep up to date with everything that's happening in the Auckland Rugby. The cornerstone of the great Auckland, Blues and All Blacks teams of his era. . The following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 394 total. In framing its decision, the Court of Appeal harked back to the 1981 tour when many protesters, normally law-abiding citizens, had been subjected to the rule of law. One of the best there have been, a huge favourite of the Kiwi public (the 'Bring Back Buck' signs survive to this day) and a North Harbour stalwart to boot. Fears that the game would not live up to its billing and would be an anticlimax looked as if they would materialise when Auckland raced away to their big halftime lead. And not just any player; they wanted a player who was a lawyer and aware of the potential risks. The Auckland Rugby Referees Association is an independent body that provides rugby officials at rugby matches in Auckland (as ARU Referees) and, through the representative system, throughout New Zealand and internationally. 1985 - 1990 5 years. In front of 52,000 fans, Grizz Wyllie's Canterbury came back from 24-0 down at half-time to within a bounce of the ball of victory. The 1985 match in which Auckland ended Canterbury's record-equalling tenure of 25 matches was dubbed the 'Match of the Century'. . All Blacks statistics also reveal the extent of Auckland's influence: of the 1071 players to have worn the national jersey from 1888 to 2008, 133 were born in Auckland. Previous to this I completed a PhD in international history at the LSE, with research publications, higher education teaching and online course design experience. Eden Park, 20 April 1985. The only exception was a radio interview with Haden by Rocky Patterson in the course of which there were several references, clearly in the hope they would be noticed by referee Bob Francis, to Canterburys lineout tactics of 1983. 091220 News Photo. I suppose in a sense it was embarrassing for him, that his son-in-law should have done this, reflects Hansen. The trial would go ahead. Won Lost Drawn Win Percent ; 675: 340: 313: 22: 50.37% Auckland have also produced a record number of All Blacks, 181, the most recent being Akira Ioane in 2017. Level 6 North Stand, Gate B, Walters Rd, Eden Park. Michael Jones during practice three days before the 1987 Rugby World Cup final. Robertson, named by some the "prince of centres", possessed great top-end speed. We include Wilson Whineray whodebuted in1953 through to Keven Mealamu. A crowd of hundreds braved the Wellington winter, to find out if a group of lawyers had managed to stop the All Blacks touring apartheid South Africa. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Neither of the two coaches, Canterburys Alex Wyllie and Aucklands John Hart, is convinced that this was the standout match of each of their respective careers. Stanley possessed a sharp change of direction and distribution skills that made anymidfielder proud. Then, in 1981, Bishop Brian Ashby brought a case seeking judicial review of the decision to grant visas to the Springboks. "I have known Bob since we were . In November the Court of Appeal rejected the unions last-ditch effort to take the case to the Privy Council in London. The winner of the competition was Mr J.E. Programme Queensland v Auckland. Alpine Ice Centre (also known as Alpine Ice Sports Centre) is an indoor ice sports and public skate centre, opened in April 1985. There was another dimension to the 1985 match. There have been, too, comebacks from sides better than the Canterbury recovery of the second spell, Aucklands against Bay of Plenty in 1996 for example and a later Canterbury side against Wellington in 2001. Keep up to date with everything that's happening in the Auckland Rugby.The latest events, images and alerts direct to your phone.Download on the App Store or Google Play. From Rhodes Scholarships to. Also added to his legend by getting his scrotum stitched up and losing four teeth in the infamous 'Battle of Nantes" against France in 1986, and playing on. Four years later, it was the Rugby Unions turn to face the rule of law, when a group of lawyers challenged a decision to send the All Blacks to apartheid South Africa. The Auckland Rugby Union is a New Zealand provincial rugby union. The Court of Appeal sent the case back to the High Court. Auckland themselves had done something similar arranging their 1993 schedule so that the side they had to beat to go to 25 was Hawkes Bay whose own predecessors in the 1920s had set the record of 24. This seemed a blatant insensitivity to our efforts to bring equality and justice to our country., Thomas says Stofiles evidence was compelling. We have pulled together a list of the bestrugby players to have ever come from the Auckland region. He became the sole selector to the Auckland team, leading the side to eight successive Ranfurly Shield wins, before he served on the All Blacks selection committee from 1907 to 1914. Dubbed the "Black Panther" by legendary scribe TP McLean, Nathan was a man who never shrugged work or took a backward step. They currently compete in the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership. Auckland were the first holders of the Ranfurly Shield in 1902 and have won 153 out of 194 shield matches - the most successful record of any provincial union. Hansen had also been part of a group of lawyers who had worked for free representing some of the 1500 protestors who were charged as a result of the civil unrest. Bunceplayed his first game for Auckland in 1986 but made his namewith a shift to North Harbour in 1991. Teams will be seeded 1-16 after this round. As long ago as 1972, of course, the NZRU had relaxed its stand against live telecasts but retained a measure of conservatism and control and the policy was nowhere near as liberal as it would become in the 1990s and into the present when it almost seems as if television now has too much of a say. | Learn . Hart also made himself the sole focus for the media. Injuries and his religious beliefs (he didn't play Sundays) kept him to just 55 tests for the All Blacks, but later in his career as his body slowed hemanaged to reinvent himself as an equally effective blindside/No 8. Television New Zealand also made a late overture for a live telecast but made only a token offer of apparently around $10,000, which no one could blame the NZRU for dismissing. Retired High Court Judge Rodney Hansen, KC, has been appointed to assess whether Alan Hall is innocent, and if so, what compensation he should receive. In the Championship Round the sixteen teams are split into the top and bottom eight. Too often rugby occasions which have had the elements of potential greatness have wallowed into anonymity, he wrote. Elias says the courts had seen the damage done during the 1981 Springbok Tour. A formidable team: John Marshall QC, Ted Thomas, QC, Dame Sian Elias and Paddy Finnigan photographed in July 1985. Thomas had no idea. 2010 Scores and results list England's points tally first. Auckland, New Zealand aucklandrugby.co.nz Joined May 2011. Auckland also holds the record for the most Ranfurly Shield wins (16), successful defences (148), and longest streak of successful defences (61). Frequently such hype is unjustified, contrived and artificial. It wasnt too difficult to show they were so obsessed in beating the protestors, that they had lost sight of the interests of rugby. An absorbing three-part documentary telling the story of the fatal 1985 sinking of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior, as she lay at harbour in Auckland, New Zealand. A converted . Some options were proposed such as the shield game kicking off at 3.30 and other matches switching to noon or 1pm and for the shield match to be played on the Sunday. Level 6 North Stand, Gate B, Walters Rd, Eden Park. 1,439 Following. I just kept on going, I kept on working, says Recordon, who decided not to burden Thomas with what was going on in Auckland. David Kirk, left, the All Blacks' onfield captain, with injured squad skipper Andy Dalton, after New Zealand won the first Rugby World Cup final in 1987 at Auckland. The 15 teams entered into the Premier Competition play a 15-week round-robin, played on Saturdays. They built up the atmosphere for a legal case to succeed. One of only six All Blacks centurions, Mealamu became a valued disciplinary presence in the national team, setting standards and enforcing team-driven punishments. It was the last time the Rugby Union would attempt to mount a sanctioned tour of apartheid South Africa. Canterburys Warwick Taylor summed up a general feeling when he said: If only one kid had been won to rugby after the shield match it would have been worthwhile. But it does not appear these were considered seriously and an attempt by the Auckland member of the NZRU council, Ron Don, to have the decision against a live telecast changed was also beaten. The tryscorers for Auckland were Joe Stanley, Terry Wright, John Kirwan, John Drake, and Steve McDowell. . The Drua trailed 19-5 in the first half and didn't lead in the match until the 77th minute when replacement winger Taniela Rakuro scored the try that gave them a narrow and thrilling win. Manners Street, site of the French Embassy, could become Boulevard Mururoa or Avenue Rainbow Warrior, writes Dave Armstrong. 'Far better than I thought': Monster truck redemption - crowds pack out Auckland show of maligned tour 04 Mar 06:44 AM Road rage horror: 14-year-old one of two charged with murder after minor car . Despite unanimous opposition from Parliament, and widespread protest action, the union was adamant the tour would go ahead. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) - 2NB50NY from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. Home F1; Calendar 2022; Drivers standings; Keven Mealamu in action for the All Blacks in 2012, Person who died after incident in Auckland's Beach Haven named, 58-year-old man dies at start of mountain bike race, What the alcohol industry doesn't want you to know, Christopher Luxon promises childcare rebates for any family earning less than $180,000, Teen boys charged with murder over killing of driver in Auckland, Former Labour Party member becomes National candidate, Homeowner says banks offering 4.99% under the table is a 'market failure', The Jugglenaut: How childcare became a for-profit game, Recap: Ill-disciplined Blues beaten by Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific clash, Disappointment and tequila: How sporting power couple Dion Nash and Bernice Mene met. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. It was difficult to find too many people who did not think a mistake had been made and it was perhaps one reason why in a few years time administrators embraced television with a haste which has become embarrassing. Stofile said the All Blacks tour was announced just a month after nine protesters were shot dead by South African authorities on the 25th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre. Creator: Christchurch Star. Spare us more bloodshed of our people, he said. Everyone on the legal team spoken to by Stuff paid homage to the anti-apartheid protesters. Justice Casey said there was clear public concern that the tour would lead to re-opening the scars of 1981. It argued that its council had the right to decide who the All Blacks should play and where. A Smith up-and-under landed into the Auckland in-goal area and bounced crazily until it was slapped dead by a desperate Auckland hand. Starred for Counties Manukau and the Blues and went on to play 63 tests for the All Blacks, and dominate two World Cups. Rezultatele jocului echipei din liga naional de rugby din Marea Britanie (1980-1990) - Great Britain national rugby league team game results (1980-1990) Articol principal: Echipa naional de rugby din Marea Britanie. If youre a school-leaver and sports-lover, the Auckland Rugby Pro Sport Career Programme could be for you. Thomas recalls hearing protest leader John Minto being interviewed on the radio, saying it was now up to the lawyers to stop the tour. Auckland rang and said yes to our request and Auckland will name their team . The third team from England to visit New Zealand made a seven match tour in May and June of 1985. A mobile and hard-nosed hooker who came in to replace injured skipper Andy Dalton in the 1987 World Cup-winning All. The Marist Rugby Club stalwart is the most capped female Auckland Rugby player with 106 games in the blue and white hoops and 57 caps for the Black Ferns (tied most of all-time), including. It was 2018 before an Auckland side once again won the National Provincial Championship. But two years later Hart and his chief lieutenant and now the captain Andy Haden had carefully analysed everything that had gone wrong and had absorbed all the lessons. The 1985 Kangaroo Tour of New Zealand was a mid-season tour of New Zealand by the Australia national rugby league team.The Australians played six matches on tour, including the final two games of a three-game test series against the New Zealand with the first test taking place in Brisbane on 18 June. The High Court ruled that while clubs could have brought the case, Finnegan and Recordon were not themselves affiliated with the union. PO Box 56-152, Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Yet when anyone nominates the Auckland-Canterbury shield clash of 1985, as has happened so often, as the match of the century there is never really too much dissent, It is beyond any argument one of the sporting contests which can be rightly tagged a classic, something like the Wimbledon tennis final of 1980 between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe or the 1974 world heavyweight boxing bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in Manila. For the past three or four years Canterbury and Auckland had been the dominant sides of provincial rugby and under the coaching of Wyllie and Hart they had lifted the bar to an unprecedented level. In the early years Bay of Plenty, Counties and Manawatu won the competition, but since 1985 only Wellington, Otago and Waikato (with two wins each) had challenged the two powerhouses. The union administers all club rugby within its boundaries, including the Gallaher Shield and other senior club rugby, as well as school rugby. Published 2002 by Celebrity Books. Everyone worked for free. Rugby League: NZ v Aus 3rd Test 1985 - YouTube This is the 3rd Test match in the 1985 series between New Zealand and Australia, from Carlaw Park, Auckland on July 7. Once more Auckland is struggling to put together a Super Rugby season - if only it had some of the magic of the best players of the past. He granted the interim injunction, grounding the All Blacks until the case had been decided. Improved in 24 Hours. Leading team of researchers on our "Construction BoxScore" database of refining, petrochemical and gas projects around the globe. Tussles with Wallabies duo Tim Horan and Jason Little were treasured. The 1960 to 1963 period, known as the Golden Era, was summed up in The Golden Years written by Don Cameron in 1983. To determine this, the bonus points system is used. Dame Sian Elias at her valedictory sitting at the Supreme Court. Along with numerous other injuries he suffered two broken jaws, but never lost a match in his 14 internationals for the All Blacks. I am Executive Director of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA) - Whare Tawhi-a-mahi i Aotearoa. In 1993, Auckland defeated the British Lions by 2318 during their tour to New Zealand. Details of Western Suburbs Magpies in the NSWRL 1985 season. Hansen agreed to be the instructing solicitor. The next week is semi-finals and the two winners compete for the four trophies mentioned, with the overall champion being the winner of the Gallaher Shield Final. Auckland rugby union team. Emerged in the great '87 World Cup-winning All Blacks as a dynamic No 7 of extraordinary abilities and at his best was considered the most complete openside to have played the game. The Court of Appeal said taking the case further would be academic as there was no way the 1985 tour could now go ahead. It contained so many elements which made it remarkable. Languages. None of his fellow partners stood in the way, despite one being a senior rugby administrator. Gameplay action of half back Bruce Deans diving after the ball being watched by Skipper Don Hayes during the Canterbury versus North Auckland Rugby Ranfurly Shield match at Lancaster Park. Stofile paid a heavy price for giving evidence. The 1985 England rugby union tour of New Zealand was a series of seven matches played by the England national rugby union team in New Zealand in May and June 1985. Hague went on to become a Green Party MP, but in 1985 he had not long been out of student politics. The Auckland Rugby Union Supporters Club (ARUSC) was established in 1976 after a meeting between ARFU administration and a group of supporters. This time they arrived in Christchurch as late as possible and they chose to stay at the Russley Hotel because it was reasonably secluded. His defence, well, let's just say his opposite didn't enjoy those collisions. Lancaster Park, Christchurch, September 14, 1985, Andy Haden - Lock who was a key influence for Auckland, Warwick Taylor - Canterbury second-five, reflected the game was a good advertisement for rugby. Recent. Simon Middleton's side were edged out 34-31 in an agonising final defeat at Auckland's Eden Park in . For at least two or three weeks the proceedings sat on the corner of my desk, recalls Thomas. Download this stock image: England players Delon Armitage and Toby Flood celebrate after defeating Scotland in Rugby World Cup game in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011. The Rugby Championship; IRB World Rankings; General Links. In 1983 Auckland had challenged Canterbury, only to have been humiliated. Soane Tongauiha (born 1982), Tongan rugby union international representative; plays for the Northampton Saints; born in Tonga and educated in Auckland at St Peter's College. Level 6 North Stand, Gate B, Walters Rd, Eden Park, Mount Eden, 1024. By fulltime a crowd which had filled Lancaster Park beyond its capacity of about 50,000 was in ferment as Canterbury came near a try which would have given them what had seemed at halftime to be an improbable win. An outstanding prop, and an even more outstanding leader, widely recognised as one of the finest to have ever captained the All Blacks.