In 1956, West Coast played the NZ Maori side at Rugby Park in Greymouth, and in a thrilling match in front of a large crowd, the Maori side were victorious, 26-20.
Thanks to Wally Messenger, we can provide these amazing highlights from the game, and a highlight is not just seeing so many great players from an incredible era in West Coast's history, but also the thousands of fans that packed the ground.
NZ Maori:
BACKS: P.T Walsh, 8. M.H Raureti, 3. D.F Menzies, 4. A.J Wilson, 5. W.N Gray (Capt), 6. E.H Whatarau, 9. R. Keepa
FORWARDS: 10. A. Pryor, 11. H.K Emery, 13. D.R White, 14. C.W Hohaia, 12. R.H Hiha, 16. G. Koopu, 17. T. Kite, 19. R.S Clarke
West Coast:
BACKS: 1. A. McNabb, 2. F. Gugich, 3. E. Stratford, 4. A. McEnaney, 5. A. Dawson, 6. A. Negri, 7. J. Babington
FORWARDS: 8. R. Gardiner, 9. R. Inkster, 12. K. Foster, 10. T. Bird, 11. T. Egerton, 13. R.R. Eastgate (Capt), 14. J. Reid, 15. B. Ross
FULL TIME: 26-20
Scorers:
NZ Maori - D.F Menzies 2 tries, H.K Emery, T. Kite & W.N Gray tries
P.T Walsh, penalty goal & 4 conversions
West Coast - J. Reid & A. Negri, tries
A. McNabb, conversion & 4 penalty goals
Referee: I.W Webby, Nelson
Again, a very special thank you to Patrick McBride at @McBrideVision and Robert Messenger for suppling his fathers film.