July 10 down the years
The day Barry John was made mortal
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Bob Burgess ...'the finest stand-off half the All Blacks have fielded in years, perhaps since the end of the Second World War' © Peter Bush/Otago Museum
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1971
In their only defeat of the New Zealand leg of their tour, John Dawes's Lions went down 22-12 to the All Blacks in the second Test at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. The All Blacks ran in five tries, including a brace for Bob Burgess and a vital penalty try nine minutes into the second half when Gerald Davies tackled Bryan Williams before he had received the pass. The Times reported that fly-half Burgess, on only his second appearance, comprehensively outplayed Barry John, adding he was "the finest stand-off half the All Blacks have fielded in years, perhaps since the end of the Second World War". He added only five more caps to his tally, his career all but ended by his public opposition to apartheid and New Zealand playing against the Springboks.

1908
The Anglo-Welsh tourists in New Zealand took up an invitation to attend the Wanganui Girls' College Old Girls dance the night before playing the local team. It was reported that the players due to take part in the game leave early but the remainder of the squad stayed "into the small hours of the morning."

1967
France ran up the fourth successive win in only five days at the start of their tour to South Africa, beating Boland 18-11 in Wellington.

1937
The first-ever match between the Springboks and Queensland was staged in Brisbane where Phil Nel's tourists won 39-4.

1965
The Springboks were happy to escape from Carisbrook on the winning end of an 8-6 scoreline after their struggle with Otago, for whom the young half-backs Earle Kirton and Chris Laidlaw stood out.

1979
France lost 12-11 to Southland in the last provincial match of their tour of New Zealand. Fly-half Brian McKechnie played a captain's part, kicking two penalty goals and converting a try by Ash McGregor for the home side.

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