The first ever International Deaf Rugby Test Series was held in New Zealand in 1995 between New Zealand and South Africa. South Africa won the series 2-1.
This is an edited video of the second test between the two teams on 19 July 1995, where New Zealand won 17-8 at the Palmerston North showgrounds (NEW ZEALAND (17): Tries: George Hiri, Penalty try; Conversions: Hayden Teesdale (2); Penalty goal: Hayden Teesdale. SOUTH AFRICA (8): Try: Jaco van der Heever; Penalty goal: Deon Bouwer).
The Deaf Blacks team’s results versus the South African Deaf Rugby Football Union team were:
- 22 July 1995, Christchurch, 22-15 (lost)
- 29 July 1995. Palmerston North Showground, 17-8 (won)
- 4 August 1995, Auckland, 0-46 (lost)
The Deaf Blacks team was:
George Hiri (Captain), Richard Peri (Vice Captain), Michael Waites, Tony McGill, Ben Robertson, Malcolm Matthewson, Oliver Ferguson, Rodney Roberts, Campbell Morrison, Richard Austin, Nathan Robinson, Matthew Hudson, Warwick Flintoff, Paul Buzzard, Paul Henderson, Craig Haworth, Kevin Carroll, Mark Siviter, Ross Freemantle, Hayden Teesdale, Opeti Finaulangi.
Management:
- Adrian Boyd (Coach)
- Ewen Wilson (Assistant Coach)
- Craig Nixon (Trainer)
- Richard Hay (Manager)
- Alicia Upton (Interpreter)
- Kevin Pivac (Secretary)
- Reg Leach (President)
The South African touring team to New Zealand in 1995 was:
Jaco Coetzee (Captain), Andries Kotze (Vice Captain), Willem Booyena, Carl Fourie, Josef Valentine, Raymond Jonkers, Jaco van de Heever, Jan Booyena, Lucas van Vuuren, Johan du Bruin, Barend van der Merwe, Hein Eyssen, Deon Bouwer, Chris Meyer, Bennie Botha, Latie Bredenkamp, Craig Liebenberg, Johan van Zyl, John McGregor, Christo Smit, Rian Corneluis, Rudi van Eeden, Frikkie Munnik, Martin Lindgren.
Management:
- Dirkie Marais (Coach)
- Louis Barnard (Assistant Coach)
- Eugene van Vuuren (Manager)