THE OFFICIAL OBU WEB MAGAZINE
Updated 10 March 2007
RE-UNION UNIVERSITY UNDER 21 1985 + 1987: In February and March of 1987 the VUW U21 team toured Argentina. This tour followed one in 1985 to Australia.
On Fri 15th and Sat 16th Feb of this year the twenty year reunion of this group was held. Players, coaches, managers, medical experts, supporters and club stalwarts were all present.
High noon on the Friday at the Backbencher was chosen as the moment to start the showdown. The organising committee had arranged the opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee series as entertainment for the first day of the reunion. To scare our Trans-Tasman brothers, a southerly was ordered for the morning. Timing was crucial, as this had to clear before the scheduled start time of the match at 2pm. The pre-match period was the first of many opportunities to catch up with long-lost comrades.
You all know that for the first time in 646 one-day internationals, the Aussies were annihilated by 10 wickets. Little did they know that this was merely to scratch the surface of their future ineptitude and spinelessness, qualities we so much treasure in our modest and humble opponents. Back at the Backbencher after the cricket, those attending the game caught up with the stragglers who had sadly missed this spectacle. On the advice of Darrell Hair and Louis Luyt, the organising committee had to budget carefully for the manipulation of corrupt referees and umpires. A significant part of the budget was spent on achieving such a dramatic result in the cricket.
We met again at the Backbencher at noon on the Saturday. Turnout was even better. A Blues-Hurricanes match had been arranged for later that day. There was no need to manipulate the weather as poor weather would only have made the Auks feel more at home. Consequently yet another glorious, windless Wellington day provided the backdrop at the Boyd.
Instead of running up the Terrace we took a van to the venue, stopping briefly to worship at shrines at such iconic places as Allenby Terrace. Luigi was waiting with a range of intellectual pursuits aimed at those who had sunk to the levels of captains of industry and commerce. The dry weetbix, raw eggs, chocolate fish and Lion Brown were enjoyed by all. There was even a scrum in the sawdust gym. Now that the calls in the scrum have increased in number, deciphering Baz’s guttural commands has become even more of a challenge. Somehow Murf’s lightning strike still ensured quality possession.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Back to the Backbencher for an asado (Argentinian barbecue) complete with Argentinian red. The rooms were bedecked with heirlooms from yesteryear, such as rugby jerseys and ties. Teresa had organised tango music and photos were displayed on the walls, in albums and on screen. The NZRFU had wanted to send a scout to the Boyd. However, being World Cup year, many players are in delicate negotiating stages and it was felt it would be more appropriate if we allowed Jock Hobbs, the Chairman of the NZRFU, in on proceedings only after our rugby had finished. He left for a board meeting with the clear directions of our group in his ears. Once he had left, the soon to be unveiled IRB training video, aka the Rosario game, was played. Jason deputised superbly for Keith Quinn. Soon it was time to head to the stadium. As little was left in the budget, only a close one point victory could be arranged. A fitting touch was that the Auks actually believed they had a chance for a while.
Oz had arranged the Centurions Bar for the after match and it was much appreciated. There were great memorabilia, including the team list for the Centurions game at Victoria Park, Westport against Buller in 1965 – Meads, Meads, Lochore, Gray, Graham Williams, Wolfe etc. Go Buller! We repaired to the Backbencher strictly for one, which turned out to be more than one, no-one having studied maths. On to Courtenay Place and there it gets a bit hazy. Thanks to all at the Backbencher and to all attendees, especially those coming from afar. Consensus is, why wait another twenty?
