Rugby ball

item details

NameRugby ball

ProductionWatts Sports Depot Limited; manufacturer(s); 1956; New Zealand

Classificationballs, footballs

Materialsleather, cotton, thread, ink

Materials Summarystitched leather

Techniquessewing, leatherworking

DimensionsOverall: 185mm (width), 285mm (length)

Registration NumberGH011677

Credit linePurchased 2007

Overview

This object was at the centre of an iconic moment in an iconic rugby match and tour. It is part of New Zealanders' popular collective memory.

This rugby ball is from the New Zealand versus South Africa fourth test played at Eden Park, Auckland on 1 September 1956. Peter Jones scored the winning try before a capacity crowd in the critical fourth test against the Springboks as a win in this game would ensure that the home team would win the test series. After a conversion by fullback Don 'The Boot' Clarke, the final score was 11-5 and the All Blacks went on to win the test series 3-1. This was New Zealand's first at-home test series win against the Springboks and redeemed the test series loss during the previous tour of South Africa in 1949. This game has also gone down in history because of Jones's frank admission in the changing room afterwards, broadcast live on national radio that 'I hope I never have to play in a tougher game than what I did today. I'm absolutely buggered'.