Greatest moments in Otago sport - Number 122

Otago rugby great Jimmy Duncan, with the hat on, refereed the first test at Carisbrook. Photo...
Otago rugby great Jimmy Duncan, with the hat on, refereed the first test at Carisbrook. Photo from <i>ODT</i> files
Carisbrook's first test was a one-sided affair, with the All Blacks beating a team that would never tour the country again.

Carisbrook had got its name from a castle on the Isle of Wight where Dunedin settler James Macandrew had spent his honeymoon, and he had fond memories of the place.

The ground slowly took shape from the 1870s onwards, although the first rugby test to be played in Dunedin took place at Tahuna Park in 1905.

Three years later, an Anglo-Welsh side toured New Zealand and the first test was played at Carisbrook in front of a crowd of 23,000. The Irish and Scottish unions were not interested in a tour so it was a team made up of Welsh and English players.

The visiting side had some good backs but struggled to match New Zealand in the forwards.

The home team has quality forwards such as Charlie Seeling and Otago hooker Steve Casey, who paved the way to a convincing 32-5 win.

In the backs, the experienced Billy Stead, who was the captain, led the way as New Zealand scored seven tries to one by the Anglo-Welsh team.

Despite the big win, the next test in Wellington ended in a draw before the home team won the third encounter easily in Auckland to wrap up the series.

Add a Comment

OUTSTREAM