Obolensky outfoxes the All Blacks
Alex Obolensky created Twickenham history on this day in 1936
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1936
Alex Obolensky, England's Russian Prince, scored two tries in England's 13-0 demolition of New Zealand at Twickenham. The presence of Pathe News cameras allowed millions to see the highlights of England's first win over the All Blacks, and Obolensky became an overnight star. Obolenksy fled from Russia with his family in 1917 and grew up in London before taking up rugby at 15, at Trent College. His tries are widely considered to be among the finest ever scored by an English player and capped a perfect debut. He played only three more times for England, and won two Varsity Match Blues for Oxford, before dying aged 24 in an RAF training accident at Martlesham Heath in 1940.
1993
Dr Danie Craven, who as player, coach and later administrator was a powerful voice in South African rugby, died in Stellenbosch at the age of 82. One of the finest scrum-halves in the world during his playing days, Craven also excelled as a coach. He led his country to a series-whitewash against New Zealand and oversaw a winning run of 10 Tests as well as a Grand Slam tour of the Home Unions in 1951-52. He became chairman of the South African Rugby Board in 1957 and years later in 1992 helped to form the South African Rugby Football Union following the fall of Apartheid.
1913
England lost at Twickenham for the first time, beaten 9-3 by South Africa in a pulsating match. The tourists became the first visiting side to complete a Grand Slam against the Home Unions. Scotland were dispatched 16-0 at Murrayfield before Ireland felt the full force of the Springboks' attacking arsenal in a 38-0 drubbing at Lansdowne Road. Wales fared better in a narrow 3-0 loss in Cardiff. Remarkably, the tourists rounded off a gruelling trip by beating France 38-5 in Bordeaux.
1958
Legendary Llanelli and British & Irish Lions coach Carwyn James made his sole appearance as a fly-half for Wales. Standing in for Cliff Morgan he dropped a goal in Wales's 9-3 defeat of the Wallabies. Following his retirement from playing James became a towering figure in the coaching world, leading Llanelli to victory over New Zealand in 1972, a year after he had masterminded the Lions' only series victory over the All Blacks with his absolute commitment to running rugby.
1964
Colin Meads was a try-scorer in New Zealand's 14-0 eclipse of England. The defeat was England's then-biggest losing points margin for a Twickenham Test. Meads was joined on the scoresheet by wing Ralph Caulton in a game that marked the Test debut of Brian Lochore at No.8.
1968
Jean-Michel Capendeguy, only 26 and capped twice before Christmas, was killed in a road accident a few days before he was due to play for France against Scotland.
1997
Italy strengthened their case for inclusion among the Five Nations with a 37-29 win against Ireland in a full-blown Test match in Dublin.
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