There has never been a book like this

Here some of the legendary players who featured in the ‘Battle for the World Crown’ …

Don Clarke, Colin ‘Pinetree’ Meads, Peter Jones, Kel Tremain, Wilson Whineray, ‘Tiny’ Hill, Terry Lineen, Ross Brown, Ian Clarke, Ron Hemi for the All Blacks …

And Tony O’Reilly, Peter Jackson, Ken Scotland, David Hewitt, Bev Risman, Dickie Jeeps, Ronnie Dawson, Hughie McLeod, Noel Murphy, Rhys Williams for the Lions …

“Never before and never again” is quite a call. But Father Time waits for no man. A few of these Legends have passed on. Forty-three remained alive when this project began. The survivors are mainly in their 70s and 80s. Even the brilliant Lions’ centre, David Hewitt – the ‘baby’ of the series at 19 years of age – is now “an the old-age pensioner,” as he told the author, Paul Verdon.

In producing Kings of Rugby, a collector’s piece of intrinsic and historical value has been created. It’s all about quality – and quantity! This is a world first. Never before has such a project been achieved. All the All Blacks and all the Lions participated. One participant has since died, meaning the feat can never be replicated.

Now you’re beginning to see the uniqueness of this collection. It’s already been called “a piece of Bradman-esque memorabilia.”

Meanwhile, among the many records set by the 1959 Lions, their feat as the highest-scoring international team ever to tour New Zealand, will never be beaten.