All Black Magic: 100 Years of New Zealand Test Rugby

click here for more details, find new or used items	Bob Howitt, Dianne Haworth Used from £67.99 Pages: 288 (Paperback) ISBN: 1869504836 Pub: HarperCollins New Zealand Pub date: 2003-10-31 Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 675404

Reader Reviews:

Comprehensive and insightful (1/1 people found this helpful)

Decent rugby union books are nowadays about as scarce as a good old-fashioned ruck or confrontational scrum in the rugby of today.

Nevertheless, "All Black Magic", seeks to rekindle the conception of the decent rugby union book of yesteryear.

It chronicles New Zealand rugby history from its initial beginnings to its present day, global status. A rare feature that the book comprises is the nomination of an overseas player of the decade combined with New Zealand's very own player of the decade. There is also an additional team of the decade - certainly a moot point for those learned in All Black rugby folklore; the unstoppable Kel Tremain or the indefatigable Kirkpatrick?

Throughout the book, there is a sense of respect bestowed upon other rugby nations aligned with the recognition of All Black superiority over certain decades, namely the 1920's, 60's, 80's and 90's.

The great Southern Hemisphere rivalries, have resulted in great All Black - Springbok and All Black - Wallaby matches down the years. These great matches are detailed along with match analysis of the infamous Home Nation tours undertaken by some of the greatest sporting teams ever to have graced a sports field.

However, this book really only appeals to the rugby enthusiast and since I myself am a great rugby fan it seemed only fair to me that a book of such tremendous quality should be awarded five stars. For those not so inclined to the facts and figures, there are small columns devoted to the great names of All Black rugby. Nonetheless, for those searching forlornly in the hope of some elusive match fact regarding a match involving the All Blacks, then this is without doubt the right book since it contains comprehensive statistics of every game and test played by New Zealand.

I also recommend the purchasing of Clem Thomas' "History of the British Lions", which together with "All Black Magic" illustrates the fascinating encounters between these two rugby superpowers.

Additionally, the video "100 Years of All Black Rugby" is an excellent supplement to this book as it brings the history of the great matches detailed, to life.

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