2021 Reunion - 1981 Senior Rugby Teams

Rugby tales tall and true ran freely on the campus last Saturday when the University hosted a visit and luncheon as part of the 1981 Lincoln College Senior Rugby Players and Supporters Reunion, held over 9-11 July. It was the second big rugby celebration at Lincoln University in a fortnight, following the 140th-anniversary event on 26 June.

Organised through the Alumni and Development Office by 1981 1st XV players John Holmes BCom (Ag) 1982 and Geoff McPhail BCom (Ag) 1983, and coach Roger Lough BAgrSc 1977, the campus visit drew around 50, including Graham Stewart BAgrSc 1982 from Melbourne. Former coach and 1961 1st XV member Dr John Keoghan gave the welcome and University Update, and Gym Manager Peter Magson led a tour of the new Whare Hākinakina (Lincoln University Gym).

At lunch, Rugby Club President John Ryan reviewed the past and present of Lincoln University rugby and Roger Lough recounted highlights of the 1981 1st XV’s performances on and off the field. He said that they became the first team to win all three of Christchurch’s top rugby awards in one season, the CSB Trophy, the CSB Cup and the Press Centennial Trophy. And in the Christchurch competition’s final they achieved the impossible by beating Marist 16-0, and they had future All Blacks coach Steve Hansen in their backline.