ALL BLACKS 1963-64 UK TOUR

Stuff you didn't know...

At the start of the 1963-64 tour, UK media reported that Don Clarke was overweight. In Andrew Mulligan's book of the tour, Clarke is listed at 17.5 st. The next heaviest is Ron Horsley at 16 st. Colin Meads is listed as 15.10 st.

The tour of UK and France involved 34 matches, with 1 draw and 1 loss. The team was renowned for their forward domination, but in losing to Newport 3-0 in game 3 of the tour, they conceded 5 tight heads. 

The All Blacks lost 2 of their 4 locks to appendicitis during the tour. Whilst Stan Meads and Ron Horsley were in hospital, prop Ken Gray was used at lock in several tour matches. 

The All Blacks game against Cardiff was played the day after John F Kennedy was shot on 23rd November 1963. Cardiff Arms Park commemorated with a moment's silence, before singing with such enthusiasm that it was reported that Mac Herewini was crying. 

Don Clarke lost kicking form at the end of the tour. Over the last 4 games of the tour, he kicked 3 out of 21 shots - including missing his first 2 kicks in the final test against France before handing over the kicks to Mac Herewini.

Ian Clarke was selected to play for the Barbarians at the end of the tour. He played against the All Blacks and scored their only points in their 36 - 3 loss. The points came from a 45-metre pot, which was achieved after fielding a 'mark' from his brother Don.

Wilson Whineray was so well respected internationally that whilst playing against the Barbarians at Cardiff Arms Park, the crowd sang "He's a jolly good fellow" after he scored a try. 

At the end of the tour, the UK media wrote of Colin Meads: "We are unlikely to see a greater all-round second-row forward in these islands, and certainly no greater runner with the ball…his feats were gargantuan."