WALES v ALL BLACKS 1978

It's a running sore with every Wales rugby supporter that you have to go back to 1953 for the last time Wales beat New Zealand. And in those 67 years they've never gone closer than this match in Cardiff in November 1978. In fact Wales - with a new half back pairing of Gareth Davies and Terry Holmes - led by 12 points to ten as the game approached injury time only to be robbed of a famous victory by a Brian McKechnie penalty. And Wales' supporters disapointment was made all the worse when New Zealand's captain on the day - Graham Mourie - later admitted in his autobiography that his side won their late match winning penalty as a result of a pre planned dive from the line out.

[@foxyjazzbopper]

Wow.. I was at that game as a 17 yo and can vividly remember McKechnie kicking the penalty.. brilliant. The All Blacks played Monmouthshire on that tour.. and to hear the late great Bill McLaren’s voice again has made my day…👌👌👌👌

[@lapalad]

Brian McKechnie kicked the winning goal in a very controversial finish, then in 1981 he faced the infamous underarm bowl in cricket.

[@thewelshsportnostalgiachan4301]

To be fair he was a great all round sportsman

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

Another incident in this match which is now forgotten was Welsh midfielder Steve Fenwick breaking Clive Curries jaw in a head high tackle which ended Curries rugby career.Even back then it could have been a sending off. Not going to defend Andy Hadens embarrassing lineout antics to gain a penalty but the penalty did go against Geoff Wheel for putting his hand on Frank Olivers shoulder.

[@pauldolan9077]

As a kiwi I'm disgusted at what Hayden did

[@andrewashdown3541]

JPR always there with the 'bone-shattering tackle' in the nick of time

[@johnf991]

It all passes into legend. The highlight for me in this video was JPR's tackle on Brian Williams. He did a similar, but harder, one in another game where he stopped Williams in his tracks (he thought he could run-through him....after that he learned to try to tun round him (Grant Batty had learned to chip him). In an interview in the Sunday papers JPR was asked if it hurt tackling that hard, and he said something along the lines of "it hurt Brian Williams a lot more". As for Gareth Davies: a beautiful striker of the ball, especially from hand, but he often kicked when running it looked to be on. Fenwick was a very good player but prone to the red haze - it should have been him sent off at Twickenham, not Ringer, in that infamous game at Twickenham. I was watching with my Father from the old south terrace and he was VERY lucky not to have been sent off. Happy days though!!

[@robertford5228]

I am so glad that you mention the two standout tackles made by JPR on B. Williams. I tell the story so often and no one else seems to have noticed them. The second one you mention was “titanic”.

[@johnf991]

Thanks. I used to watch JPR at London Welsh from 68-71 (having played in the morning for my school). That side had the spine of the '71 Lions, of course, including my favourite at the time, Gerald Davies. After that I played on a Saturday afternoon (I was a fly-half) so watching LW wasn't feasible. Happy days!@@robertford5228

[@johncourtneidge]

@@robertford5228 yes!

[@martybourke2428]

Brian Mckecnies tackle on Clive Rees was brilliant...Bee Gee ran straight into JPR so standard tackle

[@Rotowhaka]

@@martybourke2428 and should have got a try, but for that sneaky foot trip that was just enough to slow him up and put him off his stride I’m not to sure which Welshman did it

[@carnmarth1100]

Geoff Wheel rest his arm on Aidan’s shoulder and he flies out of the line out like he’s been pole axed, hilarious!😂😂

[@carnmarth1100]

Penalty aside, that dive was cynical. Diving in an attempt to get penalties is more widely seen in soccer!

[@barrysamson5139]

Oliver was pushed. Wheel was penalised. What's the issue? Deans was carried back which means the ABs are undefeated (if you want to go there).

[@bwytacig]

Thanks a lot for this. Bill Bush and Steve Fenwick should've walked in the first half! Are you posting any more classic games?

[@thewelshsportnostalgiachan4301]

Yes definitely a sin binning at least for those two in today's game lol. Yes be posting some more classic rugby, and wales footie and glamorgan cricket shortly - mean spirited copywrite strikes permitting. Posted a couple of other classic matches along with this one the other day.

[@martybourke2428]

Steve Fenwick first head high was when Bill Bush took offence to being punched by a Welsh foward so why send just Bill Bush off. Its rugby man

[@martybourke2428]

Welsh hooker hung one on Billy Bush then the hooker left the scene so Billy tapped next in line, come on what would you do

[@sheldonkerr]

Is there a recording of this game with the national anthems?

[@CarpeDiem_-]

Englishman here. Not seen these old Welsh games before. Fantastic stuff. Two things. Oh how I miss Bill McLarens commentary and my new rugby hero is Steve Fenwick! Tackling like a madman. Brilliant.

[@jj9749]

He broke Clive Currie's jaw early on, should have got a prison sentence for that tackle

[@RaveDave871]

Haden felt dizzy, fainted, and fell out off lineout. Entirely innocent of cheating.

[@jacquelinefox4492]

The voice of 🏉

[@michaelcooper4986]

I love these old school games there's 1 play I'm looking for I think it was the baberians vs n.z. it was a try but a total gem of a try for the baberians

[@ldfreitas9437]

Edward's early on or JPR's late in the match?

[@Rotowhaka]

Why don’t the welsh talk about the tours to NZ in 1969 and 1988 1969 first test 19-0, Second test 33-12, 1988 First test 52-3 Second test 54-9 all wins for NZ But Jonathan did get a length of the field try in that second test of 1988

[@Rotowhaka]

@@garyduncanson2078 in 1971 it was a lions victory, that is a few Irish, Scots and English, sure Carwyn James was a master Coach, and did a great job coaching the team, but is was the Scotsman Doug Smith, who took this team from 4 different countries and turned it into the unit it was. And it was a Scotsman who got the only try in the first test in 1971 Plus the All Blacks were a new look team after mass retirement. The lions should have won the series 4-0

[@user-ct2wo6ig4x]

@@Rotowhaka it's very true that Doug Smith got this lions team working well together

[@brymorian]

Must have been big puff of wind to blow that man out of lineout

[@gregbooth1551]

Lets put aside the controversy, what a great test match by two great teams (either could have won) that held nothing back at the old Cardiff Arms Park, the best stadium on the planet at the time. I wish I saw a game there before it was replaced by the Millenium stadium.

[@MarsFKA]

When Wales was in NZ in 2016, I was at the Test in Dunedin. A few weeks later, I was at another function in the stadium and walked out on to halfway line and thought about Wales kicking off from that very spot. Seven times...

[@michaeldignan4607]

42:11 what a dive 🤣

[@thewelshsportnostalgiachan4301]

Tom Daley would have been proud of that dive Michael 😉

[@matthewashman1406]

"The kick" movie should have been made about Brian Mckechnie

[@MarsFKA]

Or Alan Hewson kicking the winning goal against South Africa at Eden Park in 1981, except he's off the list because he had already cost the All Blacks two tries in that game by letting the (expletive deleted) ball bounce.

[@shanowilliams9851]

RIP ANDY HADEN LEGEND:)

[@thewelshsportnostalgiachan4301]

a fabulous player, shame bout this incident tho

[@harrynewiss4630]

referee blind as a bat. what an awful piece of cheating at the end.

[@glynmountjoy998]

worst referee ever , he knew he made a serious bad call but could never admit it

[@murrayleckie4937]

The late penalty had nothing to do with The All Blacks locks diving. It was against Wheel placing his hand on Oliver's shoulder ! Surely you guys should have moved on after 42 years. More concerning for Wales is that its 67 years and counting since their last win!!!

[@richardscanlan3167]

ssshh... let them live in their delusional bubble.Facts have no place here.

[@vernonhuen2990]

Oliver made a meal of the hand on the shoulder infringement though and should have been nominated for an Oscar that year...! My geography teacher at Rongotai college, Clive Currie, was the original fullback that day.... he had his jaw broken by Steve Fenwick allowing Mckechnie to enter the game !

[@richardscanlan3167]

@@vernonhuen2990 interesting.Clive Currie,eh,now there's a blast from the past.

[@martybourke2428]

JPR gets involved in the 99 call fights against australia when playing flanker in 78 gets a tickle when brigend played all blacks and lies on ball handle what u give out

[@ketilflatnose4930]

@@vernonhuen2990 that was a pretty awful tackle by Fenwick.

[@michaelcarroll4330]

Wasn’t the penalty for leveraging off the shoulder by Wheel? Thought so

[@ketilflatnose4930]

i believe that's what Quittendon said, and based on his actions, that would seem to be the case. But i vividly remember being scandalised at the time by that dreadful dive, and watching it again has much the same effect. Thanks for posting it!

[@wobblertv8083]

Mmmmm that's a very strange point of view .Haydon should have been penalised for the stupid dive .the touch judge should have seen it ......

[@michaelcarroll4330]

@@wobblertv8083 The ref, Quittenton, said afterwards that’s what he penalised; but I agree, Haden was out of order. I guess the ref and TJs were not accustomed to watch for diving in those amateur days when all rugby players behaved impeccably 😳🤭🤫😂 ??? But you have to love rugby… here we are 45 years later discussing it 😉😄👍👏

[@wobblertv8083]

@@michaelcarroll4330 That period of rugby 69 to 80 was the golden age of the sport. So many world stars in every team .Club rugby these days all a bit faceless .Probably because players careers are so short .Loved the old days of quick ruck ball off second or third phase that created overlaps .Thank god for players like fin Russell and Marcus Smith .

[@ldfreitas9437]

@@wobblertv8083 Laws were different. There were no defensive lines. Forwards fought for possession at the tackle point. There was just more space on the pitch therefore.

[@thedinosaurworldjurassicpa8019]

Would have to rank right up there with every other win at the death

[@missasinenomine]

4:15 Correction Bill: "Nae bither". (from an Englishman).

[@Rotowhaka]

When Clive Currie had his jaw broken, he had already caught the ball and taken the mark Thus it should not have been play on, that result in the Welsh getting a penalty and 3 points

[@raywilliams8277]

Just another poor decision from a poor referee.

[@Stand663]

Didn’t it occur to them in those days, to play with a white ball ?

[@wobblertv8083]

This was for the unofficial world championship. Shame Gareth Phil and Gerald had retired earlier in the year .1953 and still counting .Shocking decision on the penalty .

[@martybourke2428]

Shame JPR didnt retire he was shocking in this game

[@99waylon]

UPLOADED BY 99waylon!

[@MarsFKA]

Okay, if we are going to go living in the past, Deans bloody well *did* score!

[@thewelshsportnostalgiachan4301]

he may have done - but alas theres no footage to confirm it either way. The footage of haden cheating is here for all to see

[@MarsFKA]

@@thewelshsportnostalgiachan4301 So is the footage of Wheel jumping off Oliver's shoulder, which was why the penalty was awarded. Nothing to do with Haden. Tell you what: you get over yourself about Haden and I'll get over myself about Deans.

[@martybourke2428]

Great nephew Bruce Dean's did in 89 did tho

[@markelliott1959]

Imagine today Haden would have been the laugh of the rugby world for that pathetic dive out of the line...

[@agnostic47]

Haden was the laugh of the rugby world for the rest of his life. He couldn't go anywhere without people ripping the piss out of him.

[@rogerorgan5278]

Not just Haden! Two of them.

[@shanowilliams9851]

was 12 years old when watched this 3am in the mornin...me and the ol man...........nevr seen dad laugh s much when andy haden got shoved out of tht line out eh

[@agnostic47]

The point is that he didn't get shoved.

[@user-py4vt3bv7u]

@@agnostic47 Actually he did; by Gruffydd Gwalchmai: The legendary Welsh spirit from the valley's of Llanelli.

[@BobPackard]

One word for NZers who watched this game. CRITTENDEN!! There is only one great ref and he is a Welshman.

[@Rotowhaka]

Yes there is one great Welsh Ref Clive Norling, just ask any Springbok fan and in particular NZ vs SA 3rd test 1981, deep into extra time game is at 22 all Free kick awarded to NZ for footup by Springbok hooker. Free kick upgraded to penalty because dumb arse Springbok forwards dont get out of the way when free kick taken quickly The skinny slight build AB fullback kicks the match and series winning goal The Springboks and South African fans have hated him ever since but his calls at the time were techincally correct

[@rogerorgan5278]

Scandalous by not one but TWO forwards! One with nobody near him. OK I'm Welsh but hate to see such open cheating. What does it teach grass roots players.

[@Rotowhaka]

Look at the leg trip on Brian McKechnie after that chip and chase, very subtle between the legs, just enough to slow him up and give Clive Rees the advantage. Anyhow Wales had their opportunity to put that match away, against a weak and generally inexperienced all blacks team, but blew it big time, thus bad luck. And congratulations to this All Blacks team on doing the Grand Slam, especially at the time most kiwis were saying they would be lucky to win two of the test matches.

[@user-eq9jv5uf7d]

Considering this was 46 years ago Im not sure grass roots players are learning much from it.

[@wobblertv8083]

Mr quinterton didn't have a good day at the office 😕

[@martybourke2428]

Why

[@wobblertv8083]

@@martybourke2428 This match was way above his pay grade. Some poor decisions paticularly the hayden incident . All in the mists of time now .Wales loosing run against the All blacks now one of the longest in all sports not won since 1953 ...when cliff Morgan was playing !

[@thewelshsportnostalgiachan4301]

@@wobblertv8083 if it happened now he would have had a 4th official to spot Haden's antics

[@geoffmccaw1497]

total ass he sent me off once

[@Rotowhaka]

@@thewelshsportnostalgiachan4301and at that point of the match Fenwick would have been red carded, NZ would have had a penalty try, Wales would not have had a shot at goal after Clive Currie was injured, as he had already take the Fair Catch, and Fenwick would have been red carded at that play. Don’t forget NZ scored the only try. Thus it all balanced out in the end and the better team on the day won. Anyhow who wants all that interference from the TMO, it is ruining the game in this day and age.

[@wobblertv8083]

Jpr deserved to win this game after the ashworth incident. ...

[@michaelcarroll4330]

Don’t know how you arrive at that conclusion ... this match took place before the Ashworth incident

[@JP1234815]

Wales could/should have beaten the All Blacks in 1972 aswell - the game finishing 19-16 to the All Blacks.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

Wales were never in it during 1972 encounter.

[@michaelcarroll4330]

You tend to have to score more points than the other lot to win, though

[@JP1234815]

@@michaelcarroll4330 And that's why I said should - not did!!

[@wobblertv8083]

Ironically Keith Murdoch scored the try .Then was sent home after a altercation I think with some security guards .Stopped off in Australia on the way home ..Then disappeared into the outback .Think he died a couple of years ago .Very uncompromising prop .

[@99waylon]

in the 1970s, Wales was no doubt the best side in the World. However, they played NZ 3 times and lost 3. I've included the 1974 Wales XV game, which was a full-strength Welsh side. They should have won the 1972 game with ease and man-for -man they were a lot better and playing at home. Yes, should have won in 1978 too, if it wasn't for a Welsh player using the shoulder of a NZ player to jump.

[@drmdrmy]

NZ lucky not have finished the first half with 12 men and 9 by the end. A full punch to the face to a guy layed out on the ground nowadays would be a straight red and 6 month ban. Kicking out at a guy going past you another red. As for the dive out of the line with no Welshman near him at the end was a classic but full credit for cheating a win there as there was no other way for NZ to win it.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

Fenwick broke Clive Currie's jaw. What about that. Bill Osborne knocked out cold . What about that . 2 sides to every story.

[@howardpohatu3868]

Losers again

[@brettwilkinson9529]

Don't forget Steve Fenwick breaking Clive Currie's jaw. Wales instigated the violence. New Zealand put them to sleep. That's how war is played out.

[@martybourke2428]

When fenwick high tackled and clive Currie's jaw was broken Wales had ample support but chose to kick the ball while inside all black 22. No confidence .game set match

[@martybourke2428]

Wwoulda been embarrassing to lose against nine players

[@martybourke2428]

Wales had 75 percent of ball .. home ground.... 5 natìons champs.... big lead.... so should have won easily 😂

[@brendahartas7816]

Took the Aussie cricket team , to bring karma to Mckechnie

[@MarsFKA]

Seriously? A bowler bowling an unplayable ball to McKechnie and you think that's *karma* ?

[@lapalad]

@@MarsFKA Wasn't unplayable, he could have hit it for 4 : )

[@MarsFKA]

@@lapalad A six was needed to tie the game.

[@lapalad]

@@MarsFKA It was a joke, didn't you see the smile at the end?

[@nicholaspanos2602]

Hmmmm!!! Whites only/Wit kant😂

[@Rotowhaka]

Two Maori’s plus one NZ Samoan in the All Blacks Bill Bush, Bill Osborne and Bryan Williams