{"product_id":"the-kings-cup-1919-rugbys-first-world-cup-paperback","title":"The King's Cup 1919: Rugby's First 'World Cup' - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eHoward Evans\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003ePhil Atkinson\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe world of rugby celebrated the 8th Rugby World Cup in 2015, but a tournament held in 1919, The King's Cup, can rightly claim to be rugby's first competitive 'World Cup'.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt the outbreak of World War I in 1914, all rugby was suspended by decree of the individual rugby unions, with only inter-military encounters and fundraising games permitted. After the Armistice in November 1918, with the forces of the world's rugby-playing nations and many of their stars still stationed in Britain, and with the public desperate to see competitive rugby played again, an inter-military tournament was organised. King George V was so enthused by the proposed competition that he agreed to have the tournament named after him, and so The King's Cup was born.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe King's Cup 1919: Rugby's First 'World Cup'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Explains the British military's decision to create a 'Mother Country' team rather than separate teams for England, Wales, Scotland \u0026amp; Ireland\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Explains how the Royal Navy were invited to compete but were forced to decline\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Confirmed the status of New Zealand as the dominant rugby-playing nation\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Saw the first competitive game between teams representing New Zealand and South Africa\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Shows the origins of pre-apartheid South Africa's refusal to accept black players in opposing teams\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeticulously compiled by Howard Evans and Phil Atkinson, \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe King's Cup 1919\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e is the first book to tell the full story of rugby's first 'World Cup' and is essential reading for all rugby enthusiasts and military historians.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith over 140 photos and illustrations, and chapters focusing on the competing teams, the players, and every game in the tournament, the authors have provided a comprehensive and attractive record of a long-forgotten but historically important competition of which most rugby supporters are completely unaware.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 192\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 x 9.1 x 6.5 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e December 07, 2015\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50460817588461,"sku":"9781902719443","price":42.73,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.webster.direct\/products\/the-kings-cup-1919-rugbys-first-world-cup-paperback","provider":"Webster.Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}