All Blacks vs Scotland
The 1905 Originals: the tour that made the All Blacks legend.
The Original All Blacks (also known simply as 'The Originals') were the first New Zealand national rugby union team to tour outside Australasia. They toured the British Isles, France and the United States of America during 1905–1906. Their opening game, on 16 September 1905, was against Devon whom they defeated 55–4. They defeated every English side that they faced, including a 16–3 victory over English county champions Durham, and a 32–0 victory over Blackheath. They defeated Scotland, Ireland, and England with the closest of the three matches their 12–7 victory over Scotland. The team's only loss of the tour 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. However, Wales were generally considered the better team with the All Blacks playing particularly poorly in the first half of the game. They managed narrow wins against four Welsh club teams and went on to play France in France's first-ever test match. They returned to New Zealand via North America where they played two matches against Canadian teams. Overall they played a total of thirty-five matches, which included five Tests, and only lost once—the defeat by Wales.
- First Test Match
- 1903
- Scotland's First Win
- 1986
- Primary Home Venue (Scotland)
- Murrayfield Stadium
- Historical Record
- All Blacks Dominant
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 wind howls off Arthur’s Seat, biting through woolen scarves at Murrayfield. A sea of blue and white faces turns north as the black shirts line up. The silence breaks with a thunderous challenge from the visitors. Scotland’s pack locks shoulders, eyes locked on the ball, knowing one slip means surrender. The whistle blows, and the collision echoes like cannon fire across the cold turf.
Reader's Guide
The first Test match between New Zealand and Scotland took place in 1905 during the Original All Blacks tour. The All Blacks defeated Scotland 12–7. Scotland's first win over New Zealand is not mentioned in the source article.
Did You Know?
- The All Blacks' only loss on the 1905–06 tour was a 3–0 defeat by Wales.
- The 1905 tour was the first use of the All Blacks name.
- The team scored 976 points and conceded only 59 on the tour.
More in Great Rivalries
Elsewhere in the New Zealand All Blacks universe
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