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Title
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JY086
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Description
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Jersey NZEF 1945. Black with white collar and black cloth patch with "NZEF" and silver fern motif on left breast. White cloth rectangle with black number '3' on back.
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Type
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Jersey
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Rights Holder
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CIC
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Date
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1945-1946
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Abstract
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This rugby jersey belonged to Pte. J B (John Burns) "Jonny" Smith of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force Rugby Team 1945-6. It was presented to Swansea RFC by Mr Charlie Saxton (captain of team). Jonny Smith was acknowledged as one of the most talented players to come out of New Zealand. Rugby Author John Billot said of Smith that he was: "a rhythmic, jinking runner and one of the finest centres New Zealand rugby has produced. He was a classical player who could do everything with natural skill." A supremly gifted player, he made many tries for his wings in the NZEF team and was considered a given selection against any opponent, making 26 appearances on their famous 1945-46 tour. He played just 4 tests for the New Zealand All Blacks 1946-1949, being unfortunate with injury and suffering from poor selection decisions. Smith also played for the NZ Maoris and being of Maori descent, consequently missed out on All Blacks to to South Africa, caught up in the absurd anti-apartheid regulations that marred that period. Jonny Smith had a very successful career at North Auckland, including a 32 - 19 win over the touring Australians in 1949. Having played for the NZEF in their 22 - 6 win against Swansea on 27th October 1945 Jonny Smith left his jersey at St Helen's as a memento of the match. - known as the ‘Kiwis’, the NZEF rugby team toured Britain and Europe in 1945-46 at the end of WW II and were acclaimed for the open, adventurous style of football played. They played Swansea at St Helens on 27th October 1945 winning by 22 pts to 6 pts in a game more characteristic of a Barbarians fixture. Popularly known as the "Kiwis", the New Zealand Expeditionary Force rugby team became one of the most influential and significant teams in rugby history. Their contribution to rugby lore was twofold: they resuscitated international rugby after World War II and they played a brand of rugby that set new standards of innovation and entertainment, in much the same way as the 1905 Original All Blacks had. However the Kiwis were not All Blacks - they were soldiers and were selected after active service in North Africa and Italy and, in some cases, after lengthy spells in prisoner of war camps in Italy, Austria and Germany. The feeling among the "Kiwi" squad was that they would rather have the opportunity to play rugby, even though the lure of home must have been strong .Charlie Saxton, the 1938 New Zealand half-back and the only All Black among them, was chosen as captain. But such was the quality of the squad, 16 of the team of 31 would go on to play for the All Blacks. The tour was organised by General Bernard Freyberg with the Kiwis playing 33 matches in Europe, winning 29 and with two draws and two losses. They scored a formidable 605 points and conceded only 185. They beat the full international sides of England, Wales and France and lost just one international, to Scotland. This jersey was presented to Swansea RFC by the NZEF Rugby Team captain C K ("Charlie") Saxton (Timaru HSOB, S. Canterbury, NZ & NZEF 1945-46). Saxton himself was carrying an injury and did not play in the match at St Helen's.
