October 27 down the years
Wallabies send All Blacks home
Tim Horan helped Australia to victory on this day in 1991
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1991
New Zealand were defeated in a World Cup match for the first time, losing 16-6 against Australia in a semi-final staged in Dublin. The reigning champions were undone by tries from two of the greatest players ever to play the game, with Wallabies Tim Horan and David Campese breaching their lines. Michael Lynagh kicked a pair of penalties, with Grant Fox kicking the only points for the All Blacks in response as they began a run of World Cup failures that would come to haunt them.
2003
The United States of America scored their first win at the 2003 Rugby World Cup by outlasting a spirited Japan 39-26 in a Pool B contest in Gosford. The Eagles were inspired by skipper Dan Lyle for their first victory at the World Cup since 1987, with fly-half Mike Hercus bagging a 19-point haul.
1973
In a full cap match in Bordeaux France struggle to beat Japan 30-18. The French were booed off the pitch by a 6,000 strong crowd at the Stade Municipal that reserved its applause for the tourists. The game wound up the first-ever European tour undertaken by Japan, who were managed by Shiggy Konno ... a rugby-loving Tokyo businessman who spoke perfect English.
1938
The Yorkshire and England trialist scrum-half Pilot-Officer John Sowerbutts was killed on a flight over the North Yorkshire Moors. According to RAF records he was the 186th casualty in the 98th fatal accident of the year.
1945
The New Zealand Expeditionary Forces XV, better known as the famous Kiwis, began their marathon European rugby tour with a 22-6 win against a Swansea team led by Haydn Tanner.
1966
Australian manager Bill McLaughlin sent home his hooker Ross Cullen as punishment for biting an opponent during the previous day's tour match at Oxford University. Cullen took the night flight to Sydney and never played for his country again.
1979
Newport ended a long sequence of 18 matches without victory when they defeated the South African Barbarians 21-15 at Rodney Parade.
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1. Max Verstappen ()
