The Lions' Alun Wyn Jones keeps cool next to portable fans in the heat of Hong Kong on this day in 2013 © PA Photos

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1963
A controversial goal from a mark shortly before full-time gave the All Blacks a late 9-6 victory against England in Christchurch. The game appeared to be heading to a draw when Don Clarke claimed a mark near the halfway touchline from a high kick. It took an age for him to prepare during which time England's layers repeatedly questioned the referee on their rights to charge the kick. As it was, they went too early and Clarke was then allowed to kick unchallenged. A remarkable effort squeezed home to the delight of the 40,000 crowd. England's efforts were all the more impressive as for almost the entire match lock Mike Davis played with a dislocated shoulder which had been put back in place at the side of the pitch.

2013
The Lions tour started with a game few, other than sponsors and money men, wanted inb the fierce heat of Hong Kong against a Barbarians side who appeared far from committed. The Lions won 59-8. "Even allowing for the supposed commercial imperative, there was no justification for the cruel and unusual punishment inflicted by 30C and 85% humidity that had its knock-on effect on a match for too long reduced to slow motion," noted the Sunday Express. For the record, IRB protocols state that rugby should not take place in humidity above 60%."

1987
New Zealand beat Argentina 46-12 in their final pool match to qualify for a quarter-final with Scotland. Argentina finished bottom after finishing level on points with Fiji and Italy, but Fiji qualified by virtue of having scored the most tries (six to Italy's four and Argentina's two).

1977
Scotland's Andy Irvine ran in five tries, a record by a Lions fullback, in a 60-9 romp against a combined King Country/Wanganui side at Taumarunui. John Dawes, the captain of the victorious 1971 tour, was the Lions' coach while Wales fly-half Phil Bennett led the side in their bid secure a third successive tour triumph - following the 1971 triumph and the undefeated tour of South Africa in 1974.

1974
The Lions began their week in Cape Town leading up to the first Test of the series with a decisive 17-8 win against Western Province. The 'Invincibles', as the team would become known, won 21 of their 22 matches and drew the other.

1976
Ireland, making their first official tour of New Zealand, were 18-3 winners against Southland in Invercargill. Skipper Tom Grace and Mike Gibson scored the tourists' two tries, Mick Quinn converting both and adding two penalty goals.

1985
Jamie Salmon, previously capped by New Zealand, played in a Test for England against the All Blacks in Christchurch. Mike Harrison and Mike Teague managed tries for England, but Kieran Crowley's six penalties on his Test debut carried New Zealand to an 18-13 win.

1988
Jonathan Davies ran through the card of scoring actions - two tries, two conversions, two penalty goals and a dropped goal - leading Wales to a 45-18 win against Hawke's Bay in Napier.