This was not the best match in the series between the two countries, but it was highly controversial and very little separated the sides at the finish.
New Zealand’s points came from debutant full back Joe Karam (five penalty goals) and prop forward Keith Murdoch (try). Murdoch was later that night in an incident with a security guard at a Cardiff hotel and the New Zealand team management sent him home in disgrace, though he was to get off the plane in Australia and disappear for several years.
Fly half Phil Bennett placed four penalty goals for Wales and wing John Bevan crossed for a try after a 40 yard sprint, but it was the try that was not awarded that raised most of the controversy.
Referee ‘Johnnie’ Johnson had given Murdoch’s try, yet in almost similar circumstances he denied a score for Wales full back J.P.R. Williams, who he decided had not used momentum to cross the line. It hotted up memories of the Deans ‘try’ of 1905 and made fans eagerly await the next meeting.
Prop Glyn Shaw of Neath was the only cap in the Wales team. He turned to Rugby League with Widnes in 1977. On the second match of this tour, Llanelli had beaten the tourists by 9-3 at Stradey Park on a day when ‘all the pubs ran dry’ and all Wales rejoiced.
Wales: JPR Williams; TGR Davies, J Shanklin, R Bergiers, J Bevan; P Bennett, G Edwards; G Shaw, J Young, B Llewellyn, D Thomas (capt), Derek Quinnell, D Morris, M Davies, J Taylor.
Try: Bevan. Pens: Bennett 4.
New Zealand: J Karam; B Williams, D Hales, G Batty; M Parkinson, R Burgess, S Going; J Matheson, R Norton, K Murdoch, H McDonald, P Whiting, A Wyllie (rep: A Scown), A Sutherland, I Kirkpatrick (capt).
Try: Murdoch. Pens: Karam 5. Referee: R F Johnson (England).
