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The All Blacks have kept their 56 year undefeated streak against Wales after winning a hard fought contest 19-12 in the first match of their Northern Hemisphere tour. There was however some controversy after the match with Welsh coach Warren Gatland claiming that an unpunished high tackle from Dan Carter should have been penalised and earned the first-five a yellow card - the first-five has since been cited and given a one-match ban. Another contentious decision was made when All Blacks centre Conrad Smith appeared to have crossed for a try but it was disallowed by the television match official. For provincial rugby the Wellington Lions have stumbled yet again at the final hurdle as they tried to end their seven year record of making it to provincial finals but never taking home any silverware. They faced the familiar foe Canterbury who have continued their dominance over New Zealand rugby with their second title in two years.

In cricket news, the Black Caps have levelled their One-Day series in Abu Dhabi with the final match to be played on Monday night. The victory by 64 runs came courtesy of a spectacular century from wicketkeeper batsman Brendon McCullum who scored only his second One-Day international hundred and set up the total of 303. In reply Pakistan could only muster 239 after being bowled out. The other contributing factor in their win was tight bowling lead by three wickets to Scott Styris and incredible fielding with two catches going to Ross Taylor. Momentum in the three match series has now shifted towards New Zealand as they head into the deciding game.

Sport in New Zealand History

New Zealanders show a lot of pride in their sportsmen and women and rightfully so. In our history there have been moments that have inspired young kids around the country. Moments that have made a nation stand as one and moments that have made fans ecstatic.

First Test Win

March 13 1956 is a date that all cricketers should know. After 26 years of playing test match cricket and 45 attempts New Zealand finally won their first game. Setting a target of 268 for the West Indians to chase Henry Cave (with match figures of 8 for 43 off 40.4 overs) spearheaded the attack to dismiss them for 77. The Legendary West Indian batsman Sir Everton Weekes gave hope to his side and slowly inched the West Indians torwards a face-saving draw but the day was destined to belong to John R. Reid and his team, the first team to win a Test match for New Zealand. You can read about this game in Lynn McConnell's 'The First Fifty' or check out the scorecard for the game here.

Black Magic

"The America's Cup is now New Zealand's Cup!" is what Peter Montgomery told the nation in 1995. After the bitter disappointment of failing to the Italians in the 92' Louis Vuitton Cup the New Zealand Crew stormed through the same competition 3 years later and 'blackwashed' Dennis Conner and his crew 5-0 in the main event. Sailing in the famous NZL-32, better known as Black Magic, Sir Peter Blake sparked a new national fashion trend with his lucky red socks. Blake returned in 2000 to successfully defend the cup but his story has a tragic end. November 2001 saw Blake brutally murdered by pirates in South America. His memorial service in Auckland attracted over 30,000 mourners, many in those famous red socks.

You can read about one of New Zealand's greatest ever sporting heroes in 'Sir Peter Blake: an Amazing life'. If you want to find out more about New Zealand's success in the America's cup have a look at 'The Team New Zealand story' by Richard Becht.

The '82 Vintage

New Zealand's football team enjoyed relative success at their most recent international tournament, the Confederations Cup but 1982's vintage of of our national team has been the most succesful. 1982 saw New Zealand's one and only appearrance at the FIFA World Cup Finals. The side included some of the legendary names of the game like Wynton Rufer and Ricki Herbert and the two coaches, John Adshead and Kevin Fallon, have forged two very remarkable careers. John Adshead in particular is widely considered as being one of the greatest contributors to New Zealand Football ever. It was a gruelling path of fifteen qualifying games to get to the finals, only making it after a sudden death play-off. In the tournament they came up against Scotland and the Soviet Union before every fans highlight, Brazil. The All Whites failed to win a game in the finals but what a moment for the team. On the biggest stage of the world's most popular sport playing against the greatest players of that time. Two good books to read on this are 'All Whites '82' or 'New Zealand's World Cup'.

Track Domination

Walker, Snell, Quax, Dixon, Taylor. These men are legends in New Zealand Athletics. Giants with an array of medals and records behind them. John Walker, the first person to run a mile in under 3:50 minutes. Peter Snell, voted New Zealand's Sports Champion of the 20th Century. They all have so much in common. But nothing more so than Arthur Lydiard. Not just a force within New Zealand Lydiard is considered one of the best running coaches of all time and is credited with popularising jogging around the world. New Zealand had a golden age on the track during the 1960's when Lydiard was coaching and his training techniques have heavily influenced many of New Zealand's best runners since. If you want a good book on jogging and and exercise check out 'Jogging with Lydiard' or pick up a copy of 'Arthur Lydiard : master coach' to read more about the man himself.

Recent items

MyLibrary:

MyLibrary is a part of our website which provides selections from the new books and DVDs at Wellington City Libraries. Our librarians compile these lists on a monthly basis across the different subject areas in the library's collection, and for many subjects these monthly lists are available going back a number of years. MyLibrary provides recommended databases and websites and also allows you to customise the page with your own selections from the lists, and add your own bookmarks.

Have a look at the libraries' Sport recent picks for more new books on sport and fitness.

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