1905 Originals Tour

Lore & Background

The 1905 All Blacks tour of Britain went on to achieve legendary status within the rugby world and New Zealand in particular. They scored 976 points and conceded only 59, and thus set the standard for future All Blacks sides. The tour also saw the first use of the All Blacks name and established New Zealand's reputation as a world-class rugby nation. Some of these players eventually defected to participate in the professional 1907–08 tour of Australia and Great Britain where they played against Northern Union sides in the sport that would eventually become known as rugby league.

In Their Own Story

The rain lashed against the slate roof of the Cardiff Arms Park pavilion, a cold November afternoon in 1905. Inside, Dave Gallaher tightened his boots, the leather creaking under the weight of expectation. Outside, thirty thousand Welshmen roared, a sea of red and white that seemed to swallow the pitch. Then, the gates opened. They stepped out not as individuals, but as a single shadow against the grey sky. There was no chatter, only the rhythmic stomp of boots on wet grass. Gallaher raised his hand, and the roar died instantly, replaced by a silence so heavy it could crush stone. They began to move, a synchronized dance of aggression and grace. The Haka rose from their chests, not as a war cry of anger, but as a declaration of presence. As they finished, eyes locked on the Welsh line, the crowd realized they were no longer watching a game; they were witnessing history being written in black.

Reader's Guide

The team departed for England aboard the Rimutaka on 30 July. Their first match took place on 16 September 1905 against Devon, winning 55–4. They defeated Cornwall 41–0, Bristol 41–0, Northampton 31–0, Leicester 28–0, Middlesex 34–0, Durham 16–3, Hartlepool Clubs 63–0, Northumberland, Gloucester, and Somerset (all to nil), Devonport Albion 21–3, Midland Counties 21–5, Surrey 11–0, Blackheath 32–0, Oxford University 47–0, Cambridge University 14–0, Richmond 17–0, and a Bedford XV 41–0. They then played Scotland (12–7), Ireland, England, and Wales (lost 0–3). They played four Welsh club teams, then France in France's first test match. They played two matches against Canadian teams on the return journey. Overall they played 35 matches, including five Tests, and lost only once.

Did You Know?

• The team's only loss was a 3–0 defeat by Wales at Cardiff Arms Park.
• A try claimed by winger Bob Deans was not awarded by the referee and later became a subject of controversy.
• The tour saw the first use of the All Blacks name.
• They scored 976 points and conceded only 59 on the tour.