1972 Rugby Union Test Match: Wales vs New Zealand All Blacks (highlights)

The All Blacks toured the British Isles in late 1972 and early 1973. During the tour, they were known for getting beaten by Llanelli and the Baas-Baas. It wasn't really a good start in the 70s for the All Blacks. A few months later after the tour, they were beaten by England in Auckland who were led by John Pullin. The Welsh also gave them a hard time but the New Zealanders survived. Enjoy the match. Commentary by Bill McLaren.

[@paulthomson2288]

Phil Bennett must have been the quickest goal kicker in international rugby. About 5 to 10 seconds between placing the ball and striking. The modern game should take lessons from the past.

[@clarkm4200]

Never thought we could replace Sid Going!

[@brettwilkinson9529]

1970's was the best decade for test match rugby

[@robmiller1964]

As a 66 year old New Zealander , I have to say that so many of my favorite players of nearly all time played in this match. I love the Welsh and your passion for the game!

[@jzlnz]

Same as my dad once I put forward this video to him , he recalled most of the players. He's 70 yo.

[@paulhollis8879]

Always something good when Bill McLaren is commentating. Andrew Cotter carries that torch very well 50 years later.

[@stuartwilliams-fw4vo]

No he most certainly doesn’t.

[@daviddixon286]

Couldnt lace mclarens boots

[@terminallyinquisitive1731]

Great game and raucous atmosphere. I forgot how fast the scrums and goal kicks were taken compared to today! Surprised Wales didn't go for a line out with 2 minutes to go. Great to see Bennett and Bevan showing their skills. Mystery why the JPR try was disallowed- no hint of double movement

[@desmonddoyle4470]

They did not go for the line out in those days,because they would not have the throw in.

[@121zoso]

Great game , but that disallowed try ? It looks perfectly fine to me ...

[@MarsFKA]

New Zealanders always thought of Cardiff Arms as one of the great rugby grounds. When my parents visited Cardiff in 1980, my father said the highlight of the holiday was being allowed by the groundsman to walk out on to the playing field. The Millennium Stadium doesn’t have the same atmosphere as the old park.

[@garyjones9910]

I think the principality stadium is one of the best in the world.Aswell as the rugby,all the footballers loved to play at the principality

[@YuusukeOnodera]

You mean the National Stadium, The Arms Park was the stadium near the National Stadium (and now, near to the Millenium Stadium)

[@MarsFKA]

@@YuusukeOnodera Okay, the National Stadium, which officially opened in 1984, four years after my father's visit. New Zealanders, and rugby fans the world over, always called the ground Cardiff Arms.

[@steffanhoffmann8937]

Correct. I'm from Kensington and Chelsea in London. Lived in Cardiff most of my life. Left soon after BREXIT vote and now live in Alanya region, of the beautiful Med Sea climate. With 324 sunny days a year. Currently about 24c (9th Nov 2022) and what's rain please? Heaven for a Brit. Cheap as chips to live here. Products 65% less than in UK. My last electric bill for October was £15.85. Water was £6.73. Don't need gas. I have an apt overlooking the Med Sea for only £400 a month. Ciggies are £1.40 a pack of 20, I don't smoke but it's a good gauge for prices etc. As a neutral I'd say Going was BETTER than Edwards. That Bennett grew into the 10 shirt, after the retirement at 27, of the mercurial Barry John. That Bennett was shit scared of Kirkpatrick. That Earl Kirton was the best 10 I've seen in a AB shirt. (I was very young and he was the reason I took notice of Rugby.) 15. Cullen. 14. Bryan Williams. 13. Too many. 12. Same as 13 😅👈 11. Lomu. 10. Kirton. 9. Going. 1 2 and 3....again too many. 4. Meads. 5. Too many again. 6. Kirkpatrick 7. Mourie. 8. Zinzan. LOCALS CALLED IT THE ARMS PARK. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Tbh it's slightly too hot in July and most of it comes from Syria on an easterly. 40 to 46c. But I'm acclimatised and go for a swim from 6am to 11am when it's reasonably 28c peak. The rest of the time of the year, the wind if any and light, comes from the South or South West. This was filmed early May by a Brit guy. Even then it was hot, unusually for May, at around 33c plus or minus either way. 324 Sunny days a year. Jan is about 12-14c and rains a few days only. Feb is the worst at 8-12c and rains like the tropics for three weeks but not incessantly. March to April starts to get warm again. 18 ascending steadily to 25. May averages about 29c this year hotter. June is hotter this year than last. 32-37 July August last year was 38-46. This just a tad less. Sept to December averages about 25 to 21 sliding scale. Lots of ladies from Eastern and Western Europe. Scandinavian. African. Asian. Australian. English language is the norm. Second vid is from a drone a few months back. Bye-bye fella. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4ayZXljmsl2b9E kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4DdomyqlNNsd7M

[@ldfreitas9437]

And there really was no reason to tear it all down and remake it.

[@hywelwilliams6202]

the welsh team hadnt played together for 8 months before this match they got together on thursday afternoon they looked really rusty in the first half they played much better in the second and should of won really but you have to say probably the best two teams in world rugby at the time

[@ruggernutter03]

Ohh boy, I love this old footage!! Briliant stuff!! Thanks!! Hope you have more!!

[@johncourtneidge]

Yes. My thanks too!

[@paulthomson2288]

Played in a charity game in the snow at Cardrona ski field mid 90s and Grizz Wyllie and Ian Kirkpatrick were in our team. They were still fantistically skilled and tough bastards, I'm glad they were on my side.

[@brendangallagher8087]

John Bevan was some bloody player when he got a head of steam up

[@miklmiklmtrcycl6009]

Keith Murdoch AB #686 died last week. He scored the try at 7:47. His story is a sad one. Spent his life in exile after punching a security guard later that night and being sent home from the tour.

[@devillehall6171]

Michael R Annis .....why sad ....? Lived a long life the way he wanted ,often visiting friends and family in NZ and traveling around Aus working and drinking ! Even saved a young kids life once . Sad my arse.

[@muguman]

Keith was put to rest yesterday 14/4/18 attended by family and friends from both New Zealand and here in Australia. We will always remember him as a true gentleman and friend. RIP big fella.

[@johnhughes3753]

He was a filthy player though.

[@25pappy]

@Noggsy joggsy watches Good Lord, imagine being so dumb to break into Keith Murdoch's house. A truly scary man.

[@zabaleta66]

@@johnhughes3753 Every forward was filthy back then.

[@rahowherox1177]

this welsh team deserves special credit. the only welsh team to not have a Jones in the starting 15, ever in history

[@thisnicklldo]

I remember it well, but only from the TV. Statement of the obvious to any Welshmen, but it was only a month earlier that Llanelli had beaten the All Bllacks, a famous result, so much was expected of Wales. Looking at these highlights, it doesn't look as though Gareth Edwards had one of his greatest games, I only really remember him playing outstandingly nearly all the time. Gerald Davies's side step was a thing of beauty.

[@normalcc]

Wow What an atmosphere!

[@colinoverton8897]

It's amazing how many 10s didn't take the penalties in those days. The packing down of the scrums was so quick.

[@LeighRichards27]

following my overlong contributions to the discussion below i realise its really poor manners of me not to have thanked da undaground for uploading this classic encounter....so many thanks to you for this upload from your great rugby channel...... and after hearing so much about this game in my native wales and waiting years to see it looks to me as if the all blacks - thanks to a tactical masterclass from going and burgess - just about deserved to win this one - unlike in 1978 lol.

[@noelball5137]

Wales had a perfectly good try disallowed that would of won it.

[@zabaleta66]

@@noelball5137 The ref was on the spot......double movement.

[@jessesands4099]

Fantastic Match Between Wales And New Zealand Great Players On Both Sides That's For Sure!🤗👍🏉🏟❤🤍🖤🤍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇳🇿

[@craigrobertson8364]

i remember my welsh grandad and our family watching this game any other time he supports the all blacks not now he was quite !craig nz

[@harrynewiss4630]

What a game. Referee wrong about the JPR try

[@santabeatrizgomez2380]

Qe sangre! Los galeses y cn phil benet de 10,esplendido!

[@sugirosie]

I think now a days any team 3 points down would go for a try. Back then the game seemed devoid of set plays or any organised back play. Mind you, I'd love to see the ruck bought back into the game.

[@user-ct2wo6ig4x]

JPRs try chalked off should have stood. Ref said it was a double movement. Jpr said his momentum took him over the line. The man was a missile

[@Wardads1]

Poor wee Keith Murdoch , theres a mystery worth uncovering there ! Wales still contriving new and interesting ways to lose against NZ ,Oz and SA...

[@ae_marika.9551]

Wow ABs back then kicked alot. I'm an AB fan used to running rugby. That was tough to watch with modern eyes. Different type of game

[@SuperEdge67]

Grant Batty, such an angry little man!!

[@hankgoldenshaft]

Those rucks were brutal

[@jam1966ful]

Crikey I'd forgotten what a different game it was. No lifting at the line out and the chance of being penalised for not having a straight put in at the scrums!

[@JSL2000]

It was a different era, but the refereeing was absolutely disgracefully chaotic back then. Refs were a law onto themselves. Giving wild penalties in the scrums for nothing, missing all sorts of late hits and skulduggery, and what the hell was wrong with that try - Nothing. Having said that, what a game that was.

[@wwiillll]

Welsh 8 knocked the ball on immediately before the disallowed try anyway 😂

[@harrynewiss4630]

Refs still give wild penalties in scrums...

[@ldfreitas9437]

@@harrynewiss4630 I'll say. They get set for one second and the whistle blows. Props can't do bad stuff that fast, can they?

[@MarioMartinez-fd2eb]

MATERIAL DE LUJO !!!!!

[@santabeatrizgomez2380]

Es la verdad,ni mas,ni menos,los galeses son los mas apasionados x su seleccionado,y lo demuestra el estadio como hierve como una caldera,el viejo Arms Park de Cardiff

[@foxyjazzbopper]

What a game👌👌

[@beyondyourbelly81]

Great read

[@MrAhuapai]

You would of thought that if ever Wales were going to beat the All Blacks that would be the game. The most revered generation of Welsh players ever against a lets be honest average AB touring side. The spoils of a famous victory would instead go to Llanelli on this particular tour.

[@Muesli711]

@10:14 Does Bill McLaren nearly say 'attacked'? 🙂

[@gesus44]

Fantastic game, even in today's professional era. How about all those penalty kicks? No coaching there, you either can or you can't kick the ball, no tee etc.

[@tmddunk1510]

RIP keith murdoch

[@alanbstard4]

yes. unfortunate what happened to him

[@cpiloux94]

l'arbitre anglais donne le match aux Blacks en accordant généreusement 3 pénalités (9 points) bien placées sur fautes en mêlée (mauvaises introductions de Gareth Edwards) et en refusant un essai à JPR Williams! Dommage pour les Gallois qui ont bien rivalisé avec les Blacks et ont marqué le plus bel essai du match par Bevan.

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

The late John Drake (ex-AB in the 80s) and Sky rugby commentator wrote a very good article in a local NZ newspaper many years ago in relation to this match. AB lock Peter Whiting told him of the excruciating pain he suffered in his back due to 17 stone prop Keith Murdoch sitting on his back through the power scrumming of the Welsh front row in the 2nd half. Murdoch was a powerful man but British rugby took scrumming to a new level in the early 70s using science and it showed in this match. Perhaps a draw would have been a fair result had Bennett kicked that last minute penalty.

[@cootman]

I get the feeling Wales were not happy with the disallowed 'Try' and even this Englishman can agree.

[@madman2028]

That ref was a police officer, a blind one.

[@francesmartha966]

paul carew i

[@jamesmckay-mount8689]

The ref gave loads of dodgy decisions against Wales

[@martybourke2428]

Well Wales were dodgy

[@tommyhassan3545]

Keith murdoch was sent home after this match never to play for New Zealand again very sad

[@Skybar23]

i thought this was the golden generation of welsh rugby

[@aboriginalbrotha9947]

Yes it was the golden era but the Welsh didn't win it all but they were very good and talented.

[@Wardads1]

Marc Delaney Like the 78 loss that Wales are still bleating about ? And will for oh lets say 61 more years ! Sore loser is sore eh ? Did you enjoy the 5 tries to 1 thrashing last week ? so how many victories to the Welsh 3 is it now ?

[@Wardads1]

Marc Delaney Oh and its THREE wins not 4 dopey ,cant count either eh ?

[@bendyer7]

EJ Ioane unfortunately the 70s side never actually beat NZ (but regarding the other 2 big southern hemisphere teams: wales played SA once during that period, in 1970, and that was a draw. wales just about got the better of AUS tho, during that period)

[@mizofan]

This was Wales' weakest season of the 70s, with 2 defeats in the 5 nations. Barry John had just retired. NZ didn't play Wales' grand slam and unbeaten 5 nations teams of the 70s, but had 2 controversial and narrow wins. NZ had a losing record v France, who only beat Wales 3 out of 10 in the decade, as well as to South Africa, and lost at home to England who Wales regularly thrashed. Wales had the best results in the 70s overall, and certainly till the summer of 78 when Edwards, Bennett and Gerald Davies retired and the decline started.

[@johncourtneidge]

I remember thst era when Penalty Kicks seems to drown out the rest.

[@wobblertv8083]

Ref was appaling spent most if the time getting in the way if the players ...Big call the disallowed Jpr try .😮

[@celticwarrior1365]

Oh, by the way! Llanelli beat the All Blacks that year don't you know! It's not like the Sospans like to boast about it mind you! They are far too humble for that as they were when the All Blacks came over in'97 and they lost 84-3! The All Blacks should have played Welsh Champions Pontypridd that year but seeing as it was the 25th Anniversary of the Scarlets historic win over the NZ dirt trackers, the WRU very nobly awarded the West Walian Cup Cakes the plum prize fixture!

[@glennmorris371]

When they left Stradey.. They put the goal post on a roundabout near trostre.

[@nickthefox72]

One of the luckiest results in New Zealand history. Wales were by far the superior side by the end

[@andynth33]

Wales dominated the end but All Blacks dominated the 1st 40 so hardly luckiest result in history

[@martybourke2428]

Phl kicked first kick of game out on full, last kick of game Phil missed kick at goal, pressure to much on the day for Phil and his mates

[@andrewwillan3372]

Wales flunked it. From rhe opening kick from the start from Phil Bennett. On the back foot much of the time, Too many penalties. They'd have won if Carwyn James was the coach. .

[@HEEDRECORDS]

that second Welsh try looked legit imo. No double movement.

[@HEEDRECORDS]

@Robert Miller was momentum that took him over. Watch the replay

[@zabaleta66]

@@HEEDRECORDS Not according to the referee.

[@HEEDRECORDS]

@@zabaleta66 Er yeah well obvs. Not sure the double movement rule has changed since those days. You're allowed to stretch out but not allowed to crawl. I've seen tries that seem to me like double movements awarded in recent times. Much worse than this tbh. Watch the replay his momentum seems to take him over no crawling.

[@wwiillll]

Welsh 8 knocked the ball on on the ground anyway

[@HEEDRECORDS]

@@wwiillll yes agreed but ref didn't see it and no TMO. It was first knocked on by AB player should have been called back for Wales scrum

[@mikeacton2203]

average size men, true amateurs, who played for the love of the game with unbridled excellence

[@vantheman1238]

mike acton big men for their time. The forwards, certainly the New Zealand forwards were big hard men. As were Delme Thomas and Derek Quinnell.

[@iancurtis1152]

Virtually no open play running, all kicks for territory. Our family used to get up at OMG o’clock to watch those test matches.

[@steffprobert7656]

Can't get enough of this old school rugby. Great entertainment. Wales could have won that one

[@xpat73]

Amazing how little rugby is played.....I don't see any phases at all.

[@andymay3162]

ice cool joe karam at full back for AB's in his 1st test

[@iancurtis1152]

Not bad for toe poker, played for Horowhenua in ‘71.

[@JK-wl5bx]

3 scrum penalties killed us

[@patogalanes8330]

Terminaba el partido ... pero empezaban los combates ... la invasión al campo de juego era descontrolada !!! Full escabio ademas !!! Bancala !!!

[@geoffjones4285]

Never see the likes again

[@markgardiner1767]

Great game🤣...lots of foul play 💖💖👍

[@CaptainCalculus]

The ref won

[@hughjanus501]

The Dark Ages. Kick and clap in ankle deep mud with 30 slow, out-of-shape duffers.

[@vantheman1238]

Hugh Janus you’re wrong

[@nickyork8901]

@@vantheman1238 Must have been a joke, nobody could be that dumb.

[@fatherdougalmcguire9129]

jesus burgess pass the ball mate

[@354sd]

So much better than the British bulldog we have to watch now

[@brucewilliams4152]

Hey you can always dive out of line outs to buy a pen.

[@MyRammy1]

The players look tiny

[@WELLBRAN]

cos they are not on roids

[@leemorgan8478]

Missed the King I know Phil Bennet was great but Barry John was greater he was more of a playmaker was John .

[@mizofan]

Wales did miss Barry John that season, their worst in the 5 nations in the 70s, with 2 away defeats. Their 2 matches v the All Blacks in the decade came in reactively weak seasons, the 2nd in 78 (very close and controversial) after the retirement of Edwards, Bennett and Gerald Davies. Wales's results in the 70s, and certainly till the summer of 78 were the best, and with the most points and tries.

[@martybourke2428]

​@@mizofangee SidGoing Ian Kirkpatrick and others retired.... get a Welsh coach how silly not to have a local. Carwyn James great coach you wont learn aye...you wouldnt let Carwyn coach Wales.

[@roytheboy1963]

Some shocking refereeing decisions cost wales in all honesty

[@sharp2684]

c'mon taffy you got beaten fair and square - let it go bro!

[@roytheboy1963]

@@sharp2684 I'm an Englishmen as it happens just making an observation my friend...

[@CelticMorning]

As always, any benefit of the doubt goes to NZ

[@brucewilliams4152]

You know you can buy a pen by diving out of lineouts..nowadays the tmo would have corrected that one

[@matthewashman1406]

@@CelticMorning as it should

[@GeordieBoy1955]

Come on boys ……… JPR’s on the ground, let’s take the opportunity for four of us to stamp on him and just call it rucking. Dirty bastards !!!

[@CelticMorning]

And late, late, very late tackles also a speciality and not just for that years tourists either.

[@barneyboy2008]

Shouldn't have been lying around like a lazy bastard on the wrong side of the ruck.

[@martybourke2428]

​@@CelticMorningAt least we were good at it

[@nathanbellamy3308]

The kickings terrible, passing terrible, tackling terrible, refs terrible. Oh the golden age lol.

[@williamblackman8984]

The day I got married

[@celticwarrior1365]

No way was that a double movement by JPR! Wales won that game!

[@Finnandfletch]

They were 6 points down - it might have been a draw. Might.

[@sharp2684]

No taffy you lost! check the scoreboard!!

[@zabaleta66]

Won?? How? The ref saw a double movement.....the ref!

[@brucewilliams4152]

Imagine all the yellow cards new zealand would have recieved

[@barneyboy2008]

Wales would have got a few too.

[@johnsmyth5965]

the ref won this a most dirtist by a ref

[@Del-yv1qy]

Bullshit.

[@fairplaynationalist2]

not forgetting that nz also lost to English Midlands ands English Northwest on the same tour in a ddition to Llanelli, Think this is indicative of them not really trying in provincial non test atches than the abilithy of Lanelli and the English regional teams

[@petermorris8475]

Referee killed wales in this match

[@myroseaccount]

Wales won this game and the one in 78 as well.

[@gebirg1]

Look in the record books Taffy. You must have gone to the same maths class as Diane Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn.

[@zabaleta66]

Sorry pal, Wales lost!

[@Del-yv1qy]

Typical boyo comment.Soar losers the Welsh,always were.Sad.

[@tomdavies6368]

100% a try for JPR.

[@sharp2684]

You lost, we won Get over it!!

[@jamesmckay-mount8689]

@@sharp2684 bright lad

[@25pappy]

Ya that was a poor decision. Especially in a game with so few scores you'd think a referee would give the benefit of the doubt to the attacking team.

[@zabaleta66]

@@25pappy What doubt!?! He saw a double movement!

[@Del-yv1qy]

YE LOST ,LOOK AT THE SCORE .

[@zabaleta66]

The Welsh, man, woman and child, were insufferable, small minded boors right throughout this tour......this was the sweetest of wins.

[@dafhughes7728]

FUCKING HELL , TAKE THAT PLUM OUT OF YOUR MOUTH FFS , YOUR TEXT EVEN HAS THE TOUCH OF SNOBBERY ASSOCIATED WITH U LOT

[@zabaleta66]

@@dafhughes7728 Is that inferiority complex really a Welsh trait......lol.

[@Del-yv1qy]

Totally agree,they are very bad losers.

[@andyjay7337]

Wales were robbed. New Zealand showed all their cynicism which w as always used when they were under pressure. Still, wonderful to see so much many “immortal” Welsh players in action.

[@zabaleta66]

You sound like a jet engine.

[@MarsFKA]

Okay, Andy, if you are still whining about that, how about 1905? Deans bloody well did score!

[@wwiillll]

This NZ team was an almost complete rebuild from the ageing and decaying team that fell apart in 1970/1. This was an absurd and embarrassing loss for Wales if they really had any players worthy of being called immortals. NZ shot themselves in the foot with what you term cynicism, what possible advantage did they gain? Wales too soft up front and dominated by the better halves pairing

[@davidhorton1064]

If the match had been played today, the three penalties for foot up wouldn't have been given and the try would have been allowed, that's 15 points

[@zabaleta66]

FFS!!! Lol!

[@barneyboy2008]

If it had been played to day JPR would have been sent off withe contact to Batty's head just before the try.

[@memorylane9557]

And Wales fail again! Lol😂

[@samj9217]

Why do people consider the Welsh rugby team in the 70s among the 'greatest' teams in the sport when they struggled to beat the likes of NZ and SA. Its become more of a myth. Even the Welsh stil think this team was one of the greatest of all time. Just delusional. You are not the greatest till you beat the best.

[@leemorgan8478]

Well you're so wrong there they hammered Australia & Drew against S.Africa & against NZ back then they were 50/50 games really it could of gone either way a disallowed try in 1974 which was a try could have clinched victory for us & Haden cheating in 1978 cost us victory . They were the best in Europe beating England regularly & if I'am right England had a dreadful team then but still managed to beat the blacks crazy in it . England had a good team from about 1990 - 2003 & they were good while we were in the doldrums it's just the way things are .

[@thelittlejuicer]

Just watched the highlights and in my opinion Wales were cheated of victory in 1972 also. In almost any era JPRs try would have been awarded and if there was a half-decent referee at least three NZ players would have been yellow carded (if there was that option) for cynical professional fouls that prevented possible scores. NZ were the original professional rugby cheats, closely followed by SA, Australia & England. Saying Wales haven't beaten NZ since 1953 is a joke because if there was any justice in the world we would have recorded victories in 1972, 1978 and 2004. We were cheated by very dubious referees in all three games. In 1972 the penalties awarded against Wales at scrum were an absolute joke. Where is Murdoch now? The psychopath is hidden out in the Australian bush since 1972, it's a shame he wasn't joined there by the other six or seven Psychopaths who got away with murder in that NZ squad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@cezzajamboree]

 Don't forget Llanelli beat the AB's in 72 - they had around 9 Welsh players in the squad. But to be fair NZ were on tour and it was tough in those days while touring. No wonder International Teams don't do that anymore - except the Lions

[@Wardads1]

thelittlejuicer Enjoy the thrashing last week eh ? did yer wee little heart break ? did you think for a while ''finally after 61 years of being the ABS whipping boys we are going to win !!!!'' ? I suppose it was all the refs fault was it ? Welsh supporters have become second only to the english for being miserable whiny gits . 61 more years !

[@thelittlejuicer]

***** I'm no 'sook' - just pointing out that you have been victorious on three occasions due to a combination of professional psychopathic cheating (my god how you mastered that unpleasant practice decades ago) and horrendous referees (usually eenglish or ooirish).

[@myroseaccount]

I would add that if anyone wants to know why this was a very unpopular All Black side, then this game shows why. They really were an ugly bunch who played an even uglier brand of Rugby,

[@sharp2684]

You poor old welsh losers are still whinging decades later, of course thats hardly surprising as you are really poms under another name!

[@sharp2684]

Probably the worst A.B. TEAM in history and maybe they were not the prettiest but they still beat your lilly white bunch of puritans who decades later still cannot accept they were beaten by a better team! Get over it taffy, we won you lost!!

[@zabaleta66]

You only have to look at the AB midfield in this match to see why Burgess and Going were kicking all game! Hales was actually a decent attacking player when given the chance but test footie back then, aside from rare occasions, was an exercise in keeping errors as low as possible! Parkinson was a tough defender but limited on attack. It was a pity they took this approach as the team was chock full of outstanding wingers and the hugely promising Bruce Robertson as a new center.