For over a century rugby has been New Zealand's national game, an obsession that has helped define a small country and mould its people – Maori and Pakeha.

Having a Ball looks at the triumphs and disasters, the amateur code that morphed into the professional era, the game at the local park and internationals in huge arenas, as well as rugby's effect on the national psyche and the agendas of politicians.

It is a story brilliantly told in a short introduction and through the perceptive, telling and funny insights of New Zealand's leading cartoonists. From earlier generations, there are cartoons by Trevor Lloyd, Sir Gordon Minhinnick, Sid Scales, Neville Colvin, Eric Heath and Nevile Lodge. Today's award-winning cartoonists include Peter Bromhead, Bob Brockie, Chris Slane, Murray Ball, Murray Webb, Garrick Tremain and Tom Scott. Foreword by David Kirk, captain of the All Black team that won the inaugural World Rugby Cup in 1987. Having a Ball also includes a timeline of important dates in NZ's rugby history and short profiles of the contributing cartoonists.