The Wales national rugby union team toured New Zealand in May and June 1988. They played eight matches, including two tests against New Zealand (the All Blacks).
The tour was not a success for Wales, losing both tests by heavy scores, and only winning two of the six matches against regional teams. The itinerary was a hard one and New Zealand coach Alex Wyllie said he would not have accepted a similar fixture list for his team. The team suffered badly from injuries and had to add six extra players during the course of the tour. Original tour captain Bleddyn Bowen broke his wrist in the second game and was replaced as skipper by Bob Norster, until he suffered a badly gashed knee, whereupon Jonathan Davies took over the captaincy.
Matches Date Venue Home Score Away 18 May 1988 Rugby Park, Hamilton Waikato 28–19 21 May 1988 Athletic Park, Wellington Wellington 38–22 24 May 1988 Carisbrook, Dunedin Otago 13–15 28 May 1988 Lancaster Park, Christchurch 52–3 1 June 1988 McLean Park, Napier Hawke's Bay 18–45 4 June 1988 Rugby Park, New Plymouth Taranaki 13–13 7 June 1988 Okara Park, Whangārei North Auckland 27–9 11 June 1988 Eden Park, Auckland 54–9
New Zealand vs Wales (1st test)
New Zealand vs Wales (2nd test)
Squad Manager: R. Morgan Coach: Tony Gray Assistant coach: Derek Quinnell Captain: Bleddyn Bowen, subsequently Bob Norster then Jonathan Davies
Name Position Notes Full-back Replacement during tour Full-back Full-back Three-quarter Three-quarter Three-quarter Three-quarter Three-quarter Three-quarter Three-quarter Half-back Half-back Half-back Forward Forward Forward Forward Forward Forward Forward Forward Replacement during tour Forward Replacement during tour Forward Forward Forward Forward Forward Forward Forward Forward Forward Replacement during tour Forward Replacement during tour
See also History of rugby union matches between New Zealand and Wales
References