Stamps Celebrate 100 Yrs Of New Zealand Test Rugby

New Zealand Post is proud to be celebrating a centenary of New Zealand test rugby with its latest stamp release.

The 100 Years of New Zealand Test Rugby stamps feature images from some of New Zealand rugby's greatest moments against our staunchest opponents. They display the heritage of pride, passion and rugged determination that has become associated with rugby in New Zealand.

Stamps General Manager Ivor Masters said New Zealand Post is excited about celebrating test rugby in New Zealand. "Rugby has become much more than a game for New Zealanders. It's part of who we are and what we value as a country. New Zealand Post has a long and rich heritage in the community so it's a fantastic opportunity to be associated with it."

The six stamps span the decades of test rugby, covering matches from New Zealand v South Africa in 1937 to New Zealand v England in 1997.

The 40-cent stamp captures All Black lock Tori Reid chasing the ball in the first test against South Africa at Wellington's Athletic Park in 1937, which the All Blacks won 13-7. All Black legend Colin Meads with ball in hand against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park in 1963, a match the All Blacks won 6-0, features on the 90-cent stamp.

Featured on the $1.30 stamp is All Black halfback David Kirk chasing the ball in the 1985 test at Eden Park in Auckland - which ended in a nail-biting 10-9 win to the All Blacks. The 1986 test against France in Nantes, a gruelling match which France won 16-3 features on one of the $1.50 stamps.

The second $1.50 stamp of an All Blacks Jersey is particularly poignant. It features the 'hand on heart' stance adopted during the pre-match rendition of New Zealand's national anthem, an image rugby fans around the world are familiar with.

The final stamp in the series - $2.00 - captures action from the 1997 test at Manchester's Old Trafford when the All Blacks won 25-8.

The 100 Years of New Zealand Test Rugby stamps and associated products will be available from New Zealand Post retail outlets - PostShops and Books & more stores, Regional Stamps Centres, the Wanganui Stamps Centre and the stamps website, www.stamps.co.nz, from 2 July 2003.

ENDS

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