Hosting 1963 AB's at school 'so exciting'

Roly Ellis.

In the countdown to the Napier test, Hawke’s Bay Today asks prominent locals to recall their most cherished All Blacks moment

Tararua Mayor Roly Ellis remembers hosting a touring All Blacks rugby side at the English boarding school where the sport was born.

"When I went to Rugby School, we had the 1963 tour boys billeted in our houses for three nights," Mr Ellis said.

Rugby School, located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England, is rugby's birthplace.

"In 1823, somebody called William Webb-Ellis picked up the ball and ran," said Mr Ellis, who himself ran with the ball as a No8 in the school's 1st XV.

He was 15-years-old when All Black legends Kel Tremain, Waka Nathan, Mac Herewini and Ken Gray stayed in his house at the school, as part of the 1963-64 All Blacks tour of Britain, Ireland, France, and Canada.

He said the players slept in the house and even ate with the students.

"We were just so excited they were there. There was about 80 of us in Stanley House and it was fantastic seeing them come in."

The players must have left a lasting impression on Mr Ellis. Emigrating to New Zealand in 1992, he became a fully-fledged supporter. "The day I stepped into the country I had to change colours."

The mayor hopes to watch the All Blacks play Argentina at Napier's McLean Park on September 6, and tries to catch as many test matches as his mayoral duties allow.