Tauranga Domain in 1971, with 23,000 people packed in to watch Bay of Plenty play the British Lions. Photo/file
Tauranga Domain in 1971, with 23,000 people packed in to watch Bay of Plenty play the British Lions. Photo/file
Something special happened at Tauranga Domain on a picture postcard day on August 10, 1971.
In front of a scarcely believable crowd of 23,000 packed into the picturesque ground, Bay of Plenty came so close to beating the all-conquering British Lions in an unforgettable game of rugby for anyone present.
The Lions, who became the first British team to win a series against the All Blacks when they drew the fourth test four days later at Eden Park, had lost just once on tour, in the second test. No province came close to beating them.
But Bay of Plenty fielded a formidable team and fancied their chances under the astute coaching of Ron Bryers.
In 104 seasons, 16 players have reached the magic number of 100 games for Bay of Plenty. Six of them played against the Lions in 1971 - record holder Greg Rowlands (161 games), Dinny Mohi (156), Eddie Stokes (129), Alan McNaughton (122), Graeme Moore (114) and Jim Maniapoto (105).
Moore remembers the atmosphere was supercharged and the amphitheatre, created by temporary stands around the ground, resembled a colosseum.
"It was something I never experienced before or since. For the full 80 minutes the crowd was absolutely amazing," Moore said. "You felt like you were surrounded with your mates but it was our crowd. I do remember it and it is spine-tingling even now to think about it."
Bay of Plenty outscored the Lions by three tries to two, back in those days of three point tries, with Moore, fullback Bruce Trask and hooker Ron Walker scoring.
Moore's try was the most spectacular of the three as the winger cut inside his marker John Bevan and sprinted 40 metres to score under the posts late in the first half.
Moore remembers the move like it happened yesterday.
"We got quick ball recycled by the forwards. I was out wide on the right wing heading towards the Mount end and it came out through quick passing to (centre) Eddie Stokes.
"They were one short and I cut back in and Eddie gave me the ball exactly where and when I needed it, to best use what was there. I wasn't touched, given Barry John pirouetted out of the way.
"I scored under the posts and I remember running through the posts towards the bowling green end after I scored."
During the match, Bay of Plenty's forwards marched the Lions back nearly 50 metres at a ruck which Moore says gave the boys the feeling they could win.
"Up to then we may have thought we were out of our league, but when that happened everyone knew we could play them. It was a bit late as we probably waited 20 minutes to see what they would do to us but from that point it was game on."
A year later at the Domain, Moore scored Bay of Plenty's try in the 5-5 draw with the Wallabies in front of 10,000 spectators.
British Lions 20 (Alastair Biggar, Mike Gibson tries; Bob Hillier con, 3 pens; Barry John drop goal) Bay of Plenty 14 (Graeme Moore, Bruce Trask, Dinny Mohi tries; Trask con, pen). Halftime: 12-8.
Bay of Plenty winger Graeme Moore scores against the British Lions. Photo/John Forrest Photography
