Rugby
This collection celebrates rugby in New Zealand as it has been seen onscreen: from classic bios and tour docos, to social history, dramas and protest. In the accompanying backgrounders, broadcaster Keith Quinn looks at the on air history of rugby in NZ; and playwright David Geary asks if rugby is a religion, and argues it is a good test of character.
Men of the Silver Fern - A Winning Reputation (1870 - 1924)
Men of the Silver Fern was a four-part celebration of all things All Black, made in 1992 for the centenary of the NZRFU (now known as New Zealand Rugby). This first episode covers the early period from when Charles Monro kicked off the sport in NZ in Nelson on 14 May 1870, through the establishment of rules, provincial unions and the New Zealand Rugby Football Union. The programme surveys the front-running international tours — from the 1884 Flaxlanders to the 1888 Natives, 1905 Originals and 1924 Invincibles — where the All Blacks’ "winning reputation" was forged.
Warbrick
This short follows Joe Warbrick (Calvin Tuteao, from Nights in the Gardens of Spain), captain of the New Zealand Natives rugby team, as he tries to rouse his battle-weary players to head unto the breach once more, for a test against England. It’s midwinter during the trailblazing, 17 month long 1888-89 tour which left a black jersey legacy. In a changing room that resembles a casualty ward, Warbrick draws breath and leads a stirring haka. Made by brothers Pere and Meihana Durie, Warbrick inspired the All Blacks the day before they demolished Australia by 33-6 in 2009.
Calvin Tuteao
Local blockbuster Once Were Warriors launched Calvin Tuteao's screen career in 1994. Although a small role – he was paid $800 over two days, to play gang leader Taka – Tuteao found unexpected fame when his heavily tattooed face featured in the film's promotional posters. More widely recognised as Doctor Victor Kahu from a four year stint in the core cast of Shortland Street, Tuteao went on to play New Zealand Natives rugby legend Joe Warbrick in award-winning short film Warbrick, and star in the 2010 telemovie dramatisation of Witi Ihimaera's novel Nights in the Garden of Spain.