Most ′histories′ of our national game start with the 1905 Originals, and have neglected the rich and varied pioneer period of rugby in New Zealand which began more than thirty years earlier. For the first time, the origins of the game and its place in our early history has been researched and written by Alan Turley. Inspired by the first match played at Nelson College between the college First XV and a visiting team from Rugby School in England, Alan began investigating how rugby came to be our popular national game. The fascinating story starts with William Webb Ellis at Rugby School, covers the evolution of the rules and the game itself, and goes on to describe how the game first came to be played in New Zealand. The forewords by John Graham and Sir Brian Lochore describe it as not only an authentic record of the first thirty years of rugby in New Zealand, but as filling a gap that has been waiting in rugby enthusiasts′ shelves and a great read as well. Rugby: The Pioneer Years will surprise and delight the reader.