The club paid tribute to the team that provided the greatest ever achievement in its illustrious history. 50 year ago this team beat the mighty All Blacks inflicting the touring side’s only defeat. History confirms the belief of many that this was probably the greatest ever win by a club side against a national team. The 5th All Blacks had the best post-war record of all, winning 34 of their 36 matches, drawing one (Scotland 0-0) and losing the other (Newport 0-3).
“More of a fuss has been made of Llanelli’s win and one has to be careful what one says but the All Blacks then were not the All Blacks of ’63,” Watkins says. “They were such an iconic side with so many great players – Colin Meads, Kel Tremain, Wilson Whineray, Waka Nathan, Brian Lochore, Don Clarke and so on. Beating them was very, very special. On that tour, nobody else did.”
Members of the team were last night awarded the freedom of the city at a special dinner overlooking the turf where they became heroes. The late Graham Bevan and Glynn Davidge were also honoured as were the coaching advisors Bryn Meredith who was present and the late Ian McJennett and Bryn Williams. The team was also presented with engraved tankards and books by Steve Lewis and Roger Penn. A plaque celebrating the achievement was unveiled in the Bisley Suite along with a new trophy cabinet containing a host of Black and Ambers memorabilia.
Newport’s captain Brian Price gave a speech as did Ian MacRae, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union and a member of the All Blacks 1963 team when he played centre at Rodney Parade. Both speeches were warmly received by the 300 guests at the dinner which was compered by popular former Newport full-back Phil Steele.
“Fifty years on there is still enormous pride in the effect that Newport RFC had on the community,” said Newport chairman Will Godfrey. “The admiration for what these men did for Newport has lasted through the years and is still as strong as ever. I don’t think that the players realise the admiration that the supporters and people of Newport feel for them after that remarkable achievement in 1963.”
A great team on the field and a great team off the field as they thoroughly enjoyed the evening and not once complaining with being inundated with requests for autographs which went on all evening. Your place in the club’s history is assured and once again Newport RFC says thank you for the great credit that you have brought to the club and the city of Newport !
Photos courtesy of Ron Sutcliffe :
http://s296.photobucket.com/user/Hoodfoto/slideshow/1963%20Celebration%20Dinner?sort=2
