ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

5 Classic Moments from New Zealand vs Wales Clashes

BY rugbymad_elgan  ·  Tuesday Jun 7, 2016

Wales have arrived in New Zealand in anticipation of their three-Test summer tour so we thought it was high time we had a nostalgic look-back through some of the great moments between the two sides. Featuring big tackles, great tries and plenty of controversy.

Only our septuagenarian Welsh friends will remember the last time Wales beat New Zealand back in 1953, although there have been some occasions during the last 63 years where the Red Dragons have fought the All Blacks all the way; usually in Cardiff as Wales have never scored more than 12 points in a Test in New Zealand.

However, in Sydney, it’s a different story. Who can forget when the Wales ‘B Team’ gave New Zealand the fright of their lives?

NEW ZEALAND 53 – 37 WALES – 2003 RWC

In the 2003 World Cup, no-one gave Steven Hansen’s Wales a chance against the ABs, not even Steve himself. He sent out the boys who hadn’t had much playing time yet, including “third-choice scrum-half” Shane Williams on the wing. The rest, as they say, is almost history.

JERRY VERSUS COLIN – 2003 TOUR

It’s no surprise that there have been some pretty big hits down the years in games between the two sides. But surely there was none bigger than Jerry Collins’ marmalisation of Colin Charvis? Even by today’s standards, it’s a wince-inducing clip. We miss you, Jerry.

WALES 25 – 26 NEW ZEALAND – 2004

The closest the boys in red have come to claiming a Kiwi scalp was in 2004. Mike Ruddock was laying the groundwork for the upcoming Grand Slam, and two weeks after they had run South Africa close in losing 36-38, hopes of a rare victory were high.

In the last minute, Wales had a line-out in the Kiwi half, but couldn’t retain possession, and the chance was gone.

THAT HAKA – 2008

No discussion about the best moments between the two sides is complete without that Haka response. In 2008, there had been a lot of talk about a possible riposte to the Kiki war dance, with rumours of a Welsh version being practised behind closed doors, but instead what happened was simple, pure sporting theatre.

WALES 12 – 13 NEW ZEALAND – 1978

And finally, 1978 – a sore moment for any Welsh fan and something that should always be used as inspiration in the dressing room before kick-off.

A large part of rugby is seeing how much you can get away with. But what happened on the 11th November that year has had Welsh fans seething ever since.

It was 12-10 to Wales with six minutes to go, before All Blacks second-rower Andy Hayden made Greg Louganis look like Peter Kaye in a John Smith’s advert.

2016 TOUR FIXTURES (all games at 8.35am GMT unless specified otherwise)

11th June – New Zealand vs Wales
14th June – Chiefs vs Wales  (Midweek match, 7.35am GMT)
18th June – New Zealand vs Wales
25th June – New Zealand vs Wales

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 77 WEEKS AGO

    Breaking down the greatest year of international...

  • 258 WEEKS AGO

    scottish prop saves fire victim

  • 262 WEEKS AGO

    New Rugby X tournament insane



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

View All