Secret weapon
The stories of Southland’s softening up process for visiting rugby teams have grown tall through repeated telling. The chief softener, of course, was to entertain the visitors at a beer and oysters wing-ding in Bluff, and it was fondly imagined that this would destroy the hopes of Southland’s opposition. However, the locals were often staggered by the extraordinary capacity of
their guests. Jack Walker, captain of the 1946 Wairarapa side, put away 14 dozen molluscs, and this feat was eclipsed a year later by Norman Bragg (Marlborough). He swallowed 21 dozen, a record that still stands. In 1954 Wairarapa achieved a notable feat — its players cleaned up the Bluff men in a hectic beer and oyster contest.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19850704.2.119.6
Bibliographic details
Press, 4 July 1985, Page 23
Word Count
119Secret weapon Press, 4 July 1985, Page 23
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
Log in