On New Year's Day in 1906 at
Parc des Princes in Paris, the Republic of France took the field in their first ever international match. Their opponent for the inaugural game was New Zealand.
Captaining the
All Blacks that day was
Dave Gallaher, killed in action eleven years later during the
Passchendaele Offensive. In his memory and to commemorate New Zealand's contribution to French liberty, the winner of the first game in any year between the
French and
New Zealand Unions is awarded the
Coupe Dave Gallaher trophy.
Each year, the two Unions endeavour to hold the match on the 11th of November:
Armistice Day. If the match occurs on this day, the All Blacks sew a
red poppy onto the right arm of their jerseys and the two teams observe a minute's silence in memory of those who fell in two World Wars.
New Zealand is pleased to welcome our French friends to the
2011 Rugby World Cup final.
To remember our shared history. To continue our shared traditions.
-SRA. Auckland, 21/x 2011. (reposted)
FB:
https://www.facebook.com/simon.anderson.923/posts/10150434835820482