Scrum of the Earth /

In 1998, the Wallabies made it 15 wins in New Zealand since 1903. The last Australian captain to lift the trophy in Christchurch was Charlie Wilson way back in 1958, so they traveled more in hope than expectancy. That day it was Wilson Whineray who had to suck it up and deal with all the flak, but this time it was Taine Randell's All-Blacks that would taste defeat for a third game in succession as Stephen Larkham pulled the strings for a sophisticated Australian outfit.

Australia scored tries though Tom Bowman, Jason Little, Larkham and an 18-phase move culminating in a score for Matt Burke as they ran out 27-23 winners with the score flattering New Zealand, courtesy of two late tries from Christian Cullen and Jonah Lomu.

Elsewhere, in 1540 Henry VIII, who even found time to marry fifth wife, Catherine Howard on the same day, executed Thomas Cromwell on charges of treason. In 1836, L'Arc de Triomphe is inaugurated in Paris, leading to 172 years of bedlam at the top of the Champs-Elysees while in 1930; Uruguay won the first football World Cup in Montevideo.

And it's Kia huritau ki a koe! As they say in Maori to rugby union's most recent recruit, Sonny Bill Williams (23), England winger Topsy Ojo (23), French fancy Yannick Jauzion (30), South Africa's back-row bruiser, Juan Smith (27), New Zealand flyer, Mils Muliana (28) and Argentinean legend, Federico Mendez (36).

Special mention goes to French IRB Hall of Fame hero, Jean Prat, who would've been 85.