Southern men clean up rugby quiz

Blenheim's Geoff Schroder last night won the Steinlager Rugby Head competition in Auckland. Photo / Supplied

It appears our Southern men know a thing or two about rugby.

Blenheim's Geoff Schroder last night won the Steinlager Rugby Head competition in Auckland, taking home $10,000 cash, but nipping at his heels was Stephen Downey of Dunedin, who was only one point behind him in the end.

The painter-decorator scored 22 out of a maximum 27, while Mr Downey got 21 questions correct.

Mr Schroder says he surprised himself by taking out the top prize but reckons that studying the rugby almanac, Men In Black, since he was little tacker had boded him well for last night's triumph.

"That and the fact that I seem to have a pretty good memory, too."

He has already decided what he is going to do with the prize money - the first is investing in Sky TV so the family can watch the Rugby World Cup which begins on Friday.

He will then give some to his two sons, finish of some DIY, before taking his wife away on a special trip.

As for the Cup, he's backing the All Blacks to take out the title, but says England will be tough at home.

"The Poms are always going to be tough at home and France seem to step up too. I don't think it will be a walk in the park. Then there's also the usual suspects Australia and South Africa, they always do quite well."

TEST YOUR RUGBY TRIVIA

(Check your answers at the end of this article)

1. Jonah Lomu scored his first test try against who?
2. What loose forward scored the only try when the baby blacks beat france in 1986?
3. Which All Black played 38 tests and represented Canterbury, Auckland and Hawke's Bay at provincial level?
4. Which decade saw Wales last beat the All Blacks in a test?
5. How many test matches did the All Blacks lose in 1998?
6. Robbie Deans made his All Blacks debut in which year?
7. The All Blacks completed their first grand slam - beating England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales on one tour - in which decade?
8. Sean Fitzpatrick came on as a sub in his last test match in which iconic stadium?
9. Colin Meads was sent off on in a test match in 1967 against which team?
10. Who was the first of the Whetton twins to a play a test match?

For last night's quiz, there were three rounds of questions, the first round based on the past seven Rugby World Cups, the second the All Blacks and the final round was general rugby trivia.

Radio Sport brand engagement manager Scott Aitchison says none of the finalists knew who was a clear shot of taking out the title as points were accumulated each round, rather than a winner being declared each time.

"They tallied points, so no one really knew where they sat ... they didn't really have any indication apart from their own feel on it."

Despite Mr Schroder taking out round two with a 10 out of 10, he ended up only beating second place getter, Stephen Downey of Dunedin, by one point.

"They know their rugby down there [South Island], I guess."

However, Mr Aitchison says the finalists shouldn't feel deflated - apart from losing out on the cash.

"They're all really hearty Radio Sport listeners and we really did get some great quality rugby heads, so to speak, from each region, no one got there on luck, they all got there on merit and their knowledge of the game really, so we really did have a great bunch of guys."

Check your quiz answers here

1. Ireland
2. Mike Brewer
3. Kel Tremain
4. The 1950's
5. 5
6. 1983
7. 1970's (1978)
8. Wembly
9. Scotland
10. Gary