Author(s): Peter Leitch (aka The Mad Butcher) with Richard Becht

Sport/Transport

Go the mighty Kiwis - this was the year you flew!

In 2005 the Kiwi Rugby League team won the Gillette Tri-Nations Rugby League series against Britain and Australia. What was even better was how they won - thrashing the Kangaroos by 24 glorious points to nil.

With a new coach drawing inspiration from his wife's gritty battle with cancer, and a team fired up and running on aroha, a new spirit filled the camp.
Seasoned veterans like captain Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones and Nigel Vagana mentored the younger players, fostering a whanau atmosphere where the team decided they weren't there to party - they were there to win.
That special dedication has been captured in this celebration of their amazing achievement. Hear in their own words how the boys took on the world's best and came away the winners. Celebrate an amazing team and their superb achievement. Savour the memory of their greatest tour with profiles on leading players, incidents and anecdotes from behind the scenes and exciting match summaries, illustrated with amazing photos on and off the field, and the Mad Butcher's personal collection of tour memorabilia. As team manager he was there every step of the way and has been the driving force behind this. A 'must have' book for every league lover. First published May 2006.