This is the 9th and final episode of a 9-part series on the 1924 New Zealand ‘All Blacks’ rugby team forever known as “The Invincibles”.
This series is both the telling of an epic story and an extraction of timeless lessons around shared identity, team culture and leadership.
In each episode I am joined by a guest who helps navigate the events that unfold, and sheds light on insights that have a contemporary significance.
In this final episode I’m joined again by my friend Dan Carter. Dan is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in rugby history, winning 112 caps for the New Zealand All Blacks and helping them win 2 World Cups.
This episode is called “Bringing them Home” and explores: the team’s build up to the climatic test match against England:
- the aftermath of the controversial test match against England
- the team's tour of France; including visiting WW1 sites and the grave of 1905 Originals captain Dave Gallaher
- the Paris scene of 1925 and the context around the match played there against a Selection team
- the team's final Test match - played against France in Toulouse
- the farewell event in London hosted by the British Olympic Association
- the journey back to NZ through Canada
- the team's reception at home
- some final notes on players we've gotten to know in the series
In this episode Dan and I traverse these events and explore in conversation:
- how the Invincibles team culture holds true as a blueprint for today
- the leadership style of Cliff Porter
- final reflections on this mahi
The visual version of this episode, including images of players and events mentioned, is available on YouTube here.