Kiwi Classics | 1991 Australia v New Zealand | First Test Match 

Watching this game as a kid changed my life. That iconic image of Tawera Nikau, with that glorious proud mullet, holding the ball up in one hand after scoring a try made me a sports fan.

This game is one of the most iconic and memorable sporting moments of my childhood - you simply had to be a fan in that era to understand. The Kiwis almost ALWAYS got f-ing crunched by the Roos - especially in Australia, but yet there was this forever eternal optimism that they could win a game and god-forbid, even a series (case in point they were destroyed 44-0 and 40-12 in the 2nd and 3rd tests that year). So to win a game vs that era of the Roos on Australian soil was simply incredible. I remember the game was on too late for me in NZ so I taped on the old VHS and got up at like 6am to watch it before school and couldn't believe my eyes. Those sequences of Blackmore exploding down the touchline then delivering that pass to McCracken who somehow holds off ET for the score, and then the goal-line muffed pickup that Tawera "shoulderpads" Nikau picked up for the score I doubt I will ever forget as long as I'm alive. It was a great day to be alive as a young NZer back in 1991 I can tell you that!

I remember our teacher at kawerau College bringing in a VHS video tape to watch this instead of teaching our class best time in a classroom ever! Haha

First test match I ever saw as a kid, my dad had his air force mates over, the whole house went off when McCracken scored that try.

I remember watching this iconic game as a kid......Good times!!

From memory this game was held mid week and for me it was on a school night. I remember the next day at school was 5th form class english speaches. Where each student had to give a 2 min presentation to the class on a chosen topic or relevant global issue. As per usual I had done no prep work and just got up Infront of the class and spoke about this game and how I'd been a Kiwis supporter for as long as I could remember lol. From memory I got a C grade lol

Love the Wiz and Brent Todd stripping the ball of Bobby Linder while he was hurt absolute thief..turning point right there..

Frano Botica at fullback was next level.

Really miss the days when the referees over-exaggerated their signalling. Great stuff, love these uploads!!

I just always think the kiwis looked better with the white shorts. Great to see these old highlights

I remember this game as if it was played yesturday .... BUT OML did we get a good ole Hiding from the Aussies in the next couple of games buahahaha

Clayton friend kiwi legend 💯💪

That kangaroo had a few too many before kickoff 😂

When Nikau and Blackmore played on the same team.

What about the Lonergan Shuffle?

Usually NZ or GB could upset us in 1 of the 3 tests in those days but we would always win the series. AUS smashed the Kiwis in the next 2 tests in ‘91.

Awesome

That Kiwis team was stacked 😳

Absolute classic. Bring back the trans-tasman test series!!

Peter V'Landys reckons this was a massive fluke.

That punch at minute 1:22 and the ref just lets it go lol, those were some rugged hard games, bring back the biff haha

Wallobs were favorites nek minute hahaha😂😢😅😮

Gosh love and miss the old rules.. play the ball tap it forward, hooking, kicking the opposition play the ball, hope these come back looks like the old school game was faster, no holding players down in tackles.. That knock on was a classic player in the ground then got the ball raked out..

Kiwis 24/8 well done 👍🏾

My favourite part of this game was when Australia won the next 2 games 44-0 and 40-12.

Feel sorry for Paul Hauff

Up the Kiwi's

Sixth

Meininga got burnt by watson hahaha pure gold