17 March 2005
The Chief of Army, Major General Jerry Mateparae will attend the launch of Mike Whatman’s new book, ‘Khaki All Blacks’ tomorrow at a reunion dinner at the Petone Rugby Football Club in Wellington.
The New Zealand Army, in conjunction with publishers, Hodder Moa Beckett supported author, Mike Whatman in bringing ‘Khaki All Blacks’ to fruition. The book provides an overview of the successful WWII Army rugby tour and includes personal observations of the touring experience by some of the team’s legendary players.
Described by Major General Mateparae as ‘a fitting tribute to the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force rugby team of 1945-46 that served its country with such distinction’ the book is an excellent historical record of the honour and success of the 1945 Army rugby team, fondly known as the ‘Kiwis’.
The book launch comes at a time when the Army’s representative men’s and women’s rugby teams are in the final stages of preparing for a commemorative tour to the UK in honour of the Kiwis. The 60th anniversary tour party depart New Zealand on 16 April.
The tour is particularly special for the surviving 1945 Kiwis as it is likely to be the last time they will bear witness to a tour that commemorates them and is in their honour. The Army is planning to take up to four of the surviving Kiwis veterans on the tour.
Nine of the veterans will be attending the book launch on Friday.
ENDS
For further information on the 60th anniversary tour contact Rebecca Reedy, Army Public Relations on 04 496 0296 or at rebecca.reedy@nzdf.mil.nz.
For further information on Khaki All Blacks contact Raewyn Davies, Hodder Moa Beckett Publishers on 09 478 1009 or at raewynd@hoddermoa.co.nz.
INFORMATION SHEET
The NZ Army is commemorating the honour and success of the 1945 Kiwis, the renowned WWII Army rugby team, with a 60th anniversary tour to the United Kingdom.
The tour party will depart for the United Kingdom on 16 April 2005 and has the endorsement of the New Zealand Rugby Union. It includes the Army’s men's and women’s representative teams.
The 1945 Kiwis tour of Great Britain and France was an outstandingly successful and unique tour and is still considered by many to be instrumental to the successful development of New Zealand rugby and in regenerating an interest in the game in the United Kingdom after the war.
Consisting exclusively of New Zealand soldiers fresh from the battlefields of Europe the team won 29 of the 33 games it played. Games included tests against England, Wales, Scotland and France. Five games were also quickly arranged in New Zealand as locals demanded to see their heroes play at home.
The Kiwis set an example worthy to be followed and were a definitive example of the quintessential essence of teamwork. Everyone loved them and 16 of the 31 team-members went on to All Black status.
The 2005 tour is particularly special for the surviving 1945 Kiwis as it is likely to be the last time they will bear witness to a tour that commemorates them and is in their honour.
The NZ Army is still seeking corporate sponsors for the tour. Call 0800 KIWIS05 for more information on how you can be involved.
SPONSORSHIP
The NZ Army is still seeking corporate backing for the tour. So far, Qantas, Radio Network, Nobilo Wine Group, Gilbert and Fuelquip have signed on as sponsors.
Both teams will play test matches against their respective British Army sides in what promises to be a fantastic preamble to the British & Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand in June.
Call 0800 KIWIS05 for more information on how you can be involved.
THE 2005 UK TOUR ITINERARY
- 16 April Depart New Zealand for UK
- 21 April NZ Army Men V Combined RLC Reme
- 22 April NZ Army Women V Combined RLC Reme
- 24 April Men V British Army Academy at Lark Hill
- 25 April ANZAC Day at Whitehall
- 26 April NZ Army Women V Richmond at Richmond
- 28 April NZ Army Women V British Army at Aldershot
- 28 April NZ Army Men V British Army at Aldershot
- 02 May NZ Army Men V Bedwas at Bedwas
- 04 May NZ Army Women V Clifton at Clifton
- 05 May NZ Army Men V Public School Wanderers
- 07 May British Army V British Navy (spectators)
- 09 May Depart UK for New Zealand
THE LAST HURRAH
Time spent overseas is part of life in today’s Army but it is rare for soldiers to get an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors in the way this tour intends to.
The evolving role of the NZ Army coupled with the continued growth of professional rugby means that it is likely this will be the last significant major rugby tour undertaken by the Army.
Although the essence of the game of rugby has not changed, today our country’s international rugby ambassadors are the All Blacks - a team that continually upholds the honour of those who have gone before them.
It is in the same spirit that the 2005 NZ Army rugby tour party will advance. Our players will play in honour of past soldiers, uphold the reputation of the Army against our British rugby rivals and build on the already strong sporting culture that continues to develop our leaders competitive edge.
THE 1945 KIWIS
The 1945 tour of Great Britain and France was an outstandingly successful and unique tour and is still considered by many to be instrumental to the successful development of New Zealand rugby. Consisting exclusively of New Zealand soldiers the touring team won 29 of the 33 games it played.
It began as the brainchild of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) Commander, General Freyberg and was implemented as a goodwill measure to raise both morale and money for the redevelopment of post-war Great Britain and France by the New Zealand Government.
General Freyberg was said to have had nothing less than a passion for the game and held a strong belief that rugby and soldiering went hand in hand. During the war (whenever time permitted) he would ensure matches were arranged for his 2NZEF soldiers who quickly became renowned for their talent and love for the game. As a consequence, the tour was built largely on the reputation these Soldiers established as rugby players during the war.
The 1945 Kiwis team was selected from troops of 2NZEF who had served throughout Europe, Egypt and Africa.
Selection was competitive and rigorous. The selectors met and interviewed hundreds of hopeful players for the tour narrowing this down to 120 players who were invited to trial in the unlikely country of Austria. From these initial trials, 62 players were found to travel to England for final trials, where they met up with three released prisoners of war who had earlier played for the NZ services side.
31 players were eventually selected to represent the Kiwis, only a few of the names were known to many of the New Zealand public and the team contained only one former All Black - Major Charlie Saxton, although players such as Fred Allen, Eric Boggs, Bob Scott and James Sherratt were all well-known through their provincial performances and were beginning to become well-known in New Zealand before the war.
At the end of the war when our soldiers could only have been exhausted, the idea of being a New Zealand rugby representative was still highly desirable and foremost in many of their minds.
It was with this pride and aspiration that the team went on to receive much acclaim and success. They became known as the Kiwis and achieved General Freyberg’s vision - playing bright, open football.
The team drew huge crowds and admiration for their high level of skill and free flowing style straight away. Without a doubt they can be credited for regenerating the game of rugby in the United Kingdom after the war.