Funny Rugby

The Boot

Over the years there have been many funny instances around the game of rugby. This one certainly would have been a lesson for Don Clarke…New Zealand went on tour to South Africa in 1960 when Don Clarke was the fullback. When Don arrived at the ground he discovered that something very important was missing from his bag – his boots! He did not have enough time before kick-off to return to the team’s hotel so officials rushed into the dressing room to find a spare pair.
Kel Tremain always carried a second pair of boots in his bag and it was decided that Don Clarke would wear these for the game. The pair of boots were an older pair, worn and had most certainly seen better days, but they were boots!

Clarke ran onto the field wearing Tremain’s boots and within a few minutes New Zealand was awarded a penalty goal. As Clarke kicked the ball, there was a loud ‘ka-boom’ sound as the boot exploded on impact with the ball. Bits of leather flew in all directions. One thing though – Clarke never forgot his boots again…

The Dog

Matches have been interrupted by stray dogs running onto the field although I have only heard of one dog being used to score a try. The game was Portsmouth Victoria versus Southampton Trojans during the 1890’s, a ball was kicked into the Trojans in-goal area and then rebounded off a dog. One of the Portsmouth players gathered the ball and claimed a try. Although the Trojans protested, the try was allowed. The Rugby Football Union ruled that the decision was correct, because dogs were not classified as spectators. If the ball had bounced off a spectator, it would not have been allowed.