Springbok Tour - Protests Flashcards
When did the Springboks arrive in New Zealand?
19th July, 1981
When and where was the Springbok’s first game?
They played Poverty Bay in Gisborne on the 22nd July 1981.
What happened at the Gisborne match?
Anti-tour supporters and Rugby fans came face to face for the first time and the protestors tried to storm the field but failed. Everyone was surprised at how big the resistance was.
When was the Hamilton game?
25th July.
Why was the match cancelled?
The final decision was made by Bob Walton (Police Commissioner). A group of around 300 protestors were occupying the pitch and refusing to move and a plane was also circling overhead with rumors that it was going to crash into the stands.
What made the Hamilton game so significant?
It was the first Rugby game to be streamed live on TV in South Africa. This meant that when the game was cancelled and the protestors invaded the field, the whole world saw and South Africans could see the support from Kiwis. This was also the biggest impact the protestors had made so far.
Where and when was the Springbok’s next game?
It was in New Plymouth on the 29th of July.
What happened in the ‘Battle of Molesworth Street’?
Nearly 7000 protestors gathered outside parliament in Wellington in the only protest that wasn’t at a Rugby match. They were met by the police who were unexpectedly violent using batons against the crowd for the first time.
What else was happening on the 29th July, 1981?
Prince Charles and Diana were married on this day and Robert Muldoon was in attendance at their wedding.
Where and when did the All blacks first play against the Springboks?
It was in Christchurch on August 15th, the All Blacks won 14-9.
On the 29th August the AB and SB played their second test in Wellington, what happened with the protests?
Arounf 7000 protestors gathered in central Wellington, some groups blocked motorway exists as well as road and pedestrian access the the park that the game was being held at. Police had to form barricades to allow rugby spectators through. These spectators lashed out at the protestors and police had to use their batons once again.
Explain what happened at the third test at Eden park, Auckland…
During this final match ‘all hell broke loose’. Fighting erupted on the streets as police were attacked with rocks and objects, it was pure chaos between protestors, police and rugby fans alike. What also made this match significant was that Marx Jones and Grant Cole flew a Cessna over the field and dropped flares and flour bombs to halt the game.
