In our final look back at classic clashes between Wales and Ireland, we head back to Wellington Park, New Zealand in 1987 and the inaugural Rugby World Cup.
Wales won their opening match of the first Rugby World Cup that was held in New Zealand and Australia, where the former went on to defeat France in the final at Auckland. Wales gained a creditable third-place overall in the competition after defeating Australia 22-21 at Rotorua.
It was at a windy Athletic Park, Wellington, that Wales and Ireland met in their opening Group fixture, just fifty-one days after Ireland had won 15-1 in the Five Nations Championship at Cardiff.
This time it was Wales who were the winners, with Richard Moriarty of Swansea leading the side at lock alongside Bob Norster of Cardiff. Richard’s brother, Paul, was at No.8.
Jonathan Davies (Neath) played the commanding role in a swirling wind with Robert Jones (Swansea) providing a sound service. It was Davies and his clubmate, full back Paul Thorburn, who played a part in creating the game’s only try, touched down by Cardiff centre Mark Ring.
Thorburn converted and Davies dropped two smart goals with the reply being only two penalty goals by Ireland centre Michael Kiernan. It was not a great game, but it was at least a winning one in this new competition.
Wales went on to beat Tonga 29-16 and Canada 40-9 in the Group, England 16-3 in the quarter-finals, but lost 49-6 to New Zealand in the semi-finals.
