Michael Jones scores the first ever Rugby World Cup try against Italy in 1987. Photo / Herald Archive
Today marks 30 years since the All Blacks won the first rugby World Cup, beating France 29-9 in the final.
Selector and assistant coach of the All Blacks that day, John Hart, remembers it as a special occasion.
"It culminated on the growth of a pretty special All Black team. To win the inaugural World Cup at home was special," Hart told Coast.
The All Blacks were under a lot of pressure.
"We had come off a difficult year in 1986 with the Cavaliers so the World Cup did a marvellous thing for rugby to get it back on track."
Read more: Wynne Gray on the 1987 Rugby World Cup
That World Cup in New Zealand began the amazing career of Auckland loose forward Michael Jones who scored a try in the Eden Park final. Jones was also the first player to score a World Cup try, against Italy in the tournament opener, won 70-6.
"Michael and I go back a long way and to see him score the first try in the World Cup and to see what he went on to be - pretty special - and the Cup launched Jones on the international arena."
All Black winger John Kirwan, first five-eighths Grant Fox and Jones also spoke to Coast and recalled their memories of that famous day in 1987.
England players were questioned by police as soon as they landed at Christchurch Airport.