December 19 down the years
Wales taste victory over the All Blacks
Graham Henry was appointed New Zealand boss on this day in 2003
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1953
Wales sealed a famous 13-8 win over the All Blacks with a late try from Ken Jones and an earlier effort from flanker Sid Judd. Remarkably, the Welsh have not beaten New Zealand since. The Welsh skipper that day was incomparable centre Bleddyn Williams, who possesses a unique double after also captaining a brilliant Cardiff side to victory over the tourists several weeks earlier.
2003
Graham Henry was unveiled as the new All Blacks head coach. The former Wales boss succeeded John Mitchell in the position, beating the Waikato man in what had become a two-horse race after the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) advertised the role following the Kiwis' disappointing World Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Australia earlier in the year. Henry penned a two-year deal with the NZRU but secured a contract extension after leading the All Blacks to a series whitewash of the British & Irish Lions in 2005. He looked set to be sacked after the shock 2007 World Cup quarter-final defeat by France in Cardiff but successfully reapplied for the role and is now poised to lead New Zealand through until the 2011 World Cup, on home soil.
1888
The first New Zealand side to play a game in Wales, the New Zealand Natives (the Maori), were beaten 3-0 by Llanelli. Harry Bowen produced the game's only score, landing a long-range drop goal.
1906
The Springboks routed Surrey 33-0 at Richmond, running in seven tries in the process. The game was the 24th of a mammoth 29 match tour that saw Paul Roos' men lose just twice, to Scotland and Cardiff RFC.
1999
London Wasps maintained their 100% record in Heineken Cup Pool 3 with a 37-23 victory over Bourgoin at Loftus Road. Wasps went on to top the pool, with five wins from six games, but bowed out in the quarter-finals, losing 25-22 to eventual champions Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens.
1914
The Barbarians defeated Shoreham Camp 16-13 at Hove in a war-time charity match in aid of Lady Jellicoe's North Sea Fleet.
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