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During July, August and September in 1981, New Zealanders were split against each other through the largest civil disturbance since the waterfront conflict in 1951. There were more than 150,000 people involved in over 200 exhibitions of protest. The protests took place in 28 different centres including various rugby fields. 1500 people were charged for protesting with many people being injured from the brutal protests being carried out. Despite serious injuries, thankfully no one was killed during the 56 days of protesting. The first game was on July 22 in Gisborne against Poverty Bay. This was when the supporters and protesters against the tour met for the first time. The visitors one the game, however it was a different case outside. Murray Ball, the cartoonist of Footrot Flats fame, was anti the tour. He recalled being ‘scared as hell’ when meeting with the pro tour supporters. The next game was scheduled for July 25th in Hamilton. However despite the full crowd who had turned up to watch the game, it was cancelled. This was because the pitch was invaded by anti tour protestors and there was suspicion that and aircraft was heading for the ground after being stolen. The Hamilton game being cancelled was seen as great success for the anti-tour supporters as it meant that their voice was being heard. The next event was on Molesworth Street, in Wellington. This was after the springboks won against Taranaki in New Plymouth and was outside parliament in Wellington. This was the first time that the police had to use batons on anti-tour protesters because the resistance was so brutal. |
Protest groups conveyed their opposition to the tour by producing advertisements of where and when they would be protesting so that people could join.
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The next test was scheduled on August 15 in Christchurch, with the All Blacks winning 14-9. The protest at this game was vast with a policeman recalling that it was ‘sheer luck’ that no one was killed on that day. The protesters goal was to occupy the pitch that day. The anti tour protestors succeeded in their goal of occupying the field. However they were met with resistance, pro tour supporters through blocks of concrete and bottles of beer at the protesters. 2.7 million was set aside for Operation Rugby to ensure people were not harmed during the tour, however it was calculated that it ended up costing around 15 million. 14 days later, the second test occurred in Wellington. It was said that the grounds surrounding the games beard a resemblance to a battlefield due to the large-scale protests. The protestors began early that morning with nearly 7000 people meeting in Wellington. They blocked the motorway exits into the city and also blocked the pedestrian access to the park. The police answered to this by making human wedges to let the people who wanted to go to the game through. At some points rugby supporters provoked the protesters and kicked and punched them. There was also disruption to the television coverage of the games. The third test was on September 12 in Auckland. This game out of all the games had the most disturbances. The All Blacks won the game 25-22, however the events off the field overshadowed the game. Violence erupted in the grounds bordering Eden Park and the police were bombarded with missiles and rocks. It was commented on that some people joined the protest because they wanted to fight against the police. At this point in the tour, security was the most secure it had been throughout the whole event. The most memorable of all the protests though was when Marx Jones and Grant Cole hired an aeroplane and dropped flour bombs and flares throughout the final game. Despite all of these events, the game still continued with the victory for the All Blacks.
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