Classic Encounters - Wales vs All Blacks 2003 World Cup

Wales play New Zealand in Dunedin this weekend as they look to start their tour of Australia on a high note. As a bit of build up for the big game, heres a match that weve not yet featured on here - the thriller from Sydney in the 2003 World Cup.

It was a match where Wales were expected to just roll over and concede defeat as the almighty All Blacks went about dismantling them on their way to the next round.

The Welsh had other ideas though, and despite being 28-10 down at one stage, produced an incredible comeback that saw them cording four tries without reply either side of halftime, going on to lead 34-28 before New Zealand realised what hit them.

Wales coach Steve Hansen had rested several key players but those who were on the park gave New Zealand the fright of their lives as stars were born through some inspired play.

Wing Shane Williams wasnt all that well known at that stage, but by the second half the Australian commentators were yelling Give the ball to Williams, hes brilliant!

Williams admitted a few years later: "My mother has the World Cup DVD somewhere and I'd be lying if I said I haven't watched it a few times. It was a great day for the likes of myself but we still came off that field as the losing team," he said.

The All Blacks were shaken but rallied well to pull things back and take the 53-37 win, managing to get out of jail in what would have been one of the biggest World Cup upsets to date.

Check out the related links under the video for other classic matches between the two sides.


Time: 07:32

Posted at 9:11 am | 25 comments

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