junior referee lay his hands on the Holy Grail of Rugby, the Laws of the Game, framed by the International Rugby Football Board (as it was then known) and helped generations of players and referees learn how to play the game. Re-enactment Game Celebrates first Rugby game in New Zealand On September 20th, 2011, Nelson celebrated a game which took place 141 years ago, on May 14, 1870, at 2pm, when 36 enthusiastic young Kiwis played the first game of Rugby in New Zealand between a Nelson College side and the Nelson Football Club. History records that a crowd of around 200 "including a fair sprinkling of ladies" gathered at The Botanics to watch the new version of football. Re-enactment Game in Nelson September 20th, 2011 The re-enactment took place on the very same patch of turf, at the Botanical Reserve, a picturesque spot that's become known as the "Birthplace of New Zealand Rugby", with the players dressed in clothing of the time and this time watched by thousands. Off the field the 19th Century Band Rotunda made a comeback as the stage for local brass bands, quartets and ensembles. Food stalls served Devonshire teas, cucumber sandwiches and high teas. The re-enactment was part of the REAL New Zealand Festival and was followed by a procession through Nelson to Trafalgar Park. The event was also part of the build-up to the Rugby World Cup 2011 match between Italy v Russia at Trafalgar Park and a fitting tribute to the birth