NELSON'S EARLY ROLE

Cue (NZERS), Issue 22, 30 April 1945, Page 29

NELSON'S EARLY ROLE

Claiming that the first Rugby football to be played in New Zealand was at Nelson, a correspondent has sent some interesting details concerning the introduction of the game there.

’’The Nelson Football Club, which is still a force in Nelson Rugby, was formed in 1868. Some of the members favoured the association code, while others had a preference for the Victorian rules, so it was decided to give both a trial. Only a few practices had been held however, when Mr. C. J. Munns, son of Sir David Munns, Speaker of the House of Representatives, returned from England and persuaded the players to try Rugby. Immediately it proved to be far the ni ?>st popular game. The first games -re played at Victory Square.

Nelson College took up Rugby, and ,' ne game was scon firmly established ln Nelson. The College has since produced many first-class footballers, invading Jimmy Mill, one of the half--‘achs in the 1924 All Black team. The

first representative match took place in 1871, between Nelson and Wellington.

There was no Cook Strait ferry service in those days so there were many difficulties to be faced in sending the Nelson team to Wellington. Troubles wore not over even when they finally reached there. It had been intended to play the game at the Basin Reserve, but on the day c-f the match this was half-covered with water. Arrangements were then made to play at Lower Hutt, but on arrival there, the ground was found to be flooded also. The match was finally played at Petone, and the Nelson representative team won.

The paramount part played by the early enthusiasts of the 'Nelson Football Club in initiating the game in Ne w Zealand ishould be given due credit in the Dominion’s Rugby history. Had Association or Victorian Rules been adopted by the Club, Rugby might not have come to occupy its present proud position as New Zealand s national game.”; ;