What others say of ‘Kings of Rugby’
Wonderful book
‘This wonderful book is a perfect example of what good sports journalism should be. The documentation of the 1959 Lions Tour of New Zealand is a worthy and lasting gift to the library of world rugby.’
– Cliff Morgan, former Wales and British Lions star and BBC broadcast executive
‘Book of the year’
‘To mark next year’s 50th anniversary of the 1959 Lions’ tour, its story has been recorded in rugby’s book of the year …’
– Nick Tolerton, Christchurch Star
‘So well researched and written, and so original in concept’
‘The sub-title is The 1959 Lions Tour and Series, and The Lives Beyond, and the book is so attractively presented, so well researched and written, and so original in concept that it may just revive the dinosaur of rugby book genres – the book of the tour.’
– Graeme Barrow, Northern Advocate
Hail, king of rugby books
Astonishing new landmark
‘The grand old march of year-by-year rugby tour books which has slowed to a dawdle in these recent electronic days, will surge majestically back into the publicity parade with an astonishing volume called the “Kings of Rugby.”
The compiler, Paul Verdon, has recently built a reputation for carefully researched heavyweight books on New Zealand cricketers and rugby players, but his latest account of the 1959 British Lions tour of New Zealand sets a new landmark for this country’s sporting publications.
There has never been a New Zealand sports book quite like this one (1.5 kg, 255 pages A4). To mark the approaching 50th anniversary of the Lions tour, Verdon began his fascinating tale by seeking out the 43 survivors of both the Lions and All Black teams that competed in that memorable test series, and obtaining their signatures and personal memories of the tour which covered Australia, New Zealand and Canada - 33 matches between May 23 and September 29, 1959.
Verdon was a very alert primary school lad at the time of the tour, and over the years the memories and his patient research have been combined in a pleasantly flowing story-line. Freddy Allen gives the book a special flourish in his foreword, the lay-outs are crisp and unfussy, and the numerous colour and black-and-white photos offer continual variation between on-field and off-field touring lives. Nor does he bypass the occasional and quirky trivia.
Best of all, Verdon captures the spirit and speed of the rugby, the gallantry between opponents, the often brilliant play of the Lions backline, the steadfast All Black play, Don Clarke’s dramatic impact, the vast crowds at the matches measured against small groups at far-away little stations waiting to wave to the Lions as they passed through.
The 1959 Lions may have been the best side to tour New Zealand. They certainly were a side chockful of champion players, some weird and wonderful characters, a tasty brand of mischief sometimes obscuring their high playing quality.
They make the rugby tourists of the 21st century appear as strait-jacketed, overpaid automatons with all their actions and plans designed by a small army of control-freaks. No need for the 1959 Lions to have a spin doctor as the 2005 Lions possessed. They had Tony O’Reilly and Andy Mulligan as walk-up, genuinely funny comics if there was any distracting to be done. No need for the modern press conference, with the rugby masters waffling along in stage-managed rugby-speak.
In those days, when T P McLean, Bryn Thomas and Vivian Jenkins led the pack, there was contact and simple respect among the newspapermen and the players.
Many wise people maintain that the 1959 British Lions tour was the greatest, most enjoyable, rugby expedition New Zealand -- and perhaps the rugby world -- has known. The quality of Verdon’s book makes this appear a very sound judgement.
- Don Cameron for the NZ Herald
‘It’s a credit to you and your team’ – former All Black and journalist Grahame Thorne
‘Thank you for your fantastic book. It’s beautiful and I shall treasure it always.’ – Nan Bedford
‘This amazing rugby book is a historical masterpiece, with a delightful personal touch. Beautifully bound. A great collector’s item. I would like to buy four copies, if possible.’ – Neven MacEwan, 1959 All Black
‘A splendid book. Well written and nicely presented with many fine photographs. Brought back many memories.’ – Sir Wilson Whineray
‘A most amazing publication’ – David Hewitt, 1959 Lion
‘Absolutely brilliant’ – Adrian Clarke, 1959 All Black
‘An absolutely outstanding result’ – Bruce McPhail, 1959 All Black
‘It is a book like none other in my experience. You have managed to recreate the ambience and spirit of the Tour in the context of the very different world of the late-1950s to a remarkable degree.’ – Ken Scotland, 1959 Lion
‘What a superbly presented book! It is too good to bury in a bookcase. It rests as centre piece on our coffee table where our friends can brouse its pages’ – former All Black Dennis Young
‘I really enjoyed the book. It was really very well produced. I enjoyed the summary of each player - about what happened to them and where they are now. And the pictures were very well chosen - Ken Waddell (buyer)
‘Thanks for the complimentary copy of your book. It’s marvellously produced! It feels an honour just to open it.’ – Stephen Berg (curator, New Zealand Rugby Museum)
‘What a magnificent book. The amount of research you have put into it is extraordinary. The sheer quality of the book is mind blowing. The photographs are so interesting and the selection of the write-ups on the games so fair. It will remain a treasure for me and my family.’ - Roddy Evans, 1959 Lion
‘I have not seen a book that is as eye-catching as this one – and the content is excellent.’
– Rex Pickering, 1959 All Black
