New Zealand were the kings of rugby union in 1990. After winning the inaugural World Cup in 1987, they were cresting the wave of 21 successive Test victories, recording their last loss in 1986, against France in Nantes.
But their selectors were restless, dropping punishing No.8 Wayne "Buck" Shelford, captain in 14 of the wins, in favour of Zinzan Brooke for the first Test against Australia in Christchurch.
By comparison, Nick Farr-Jones led a relatively young Wallabies team, 16 of whom were initiated into Test rugby in the previous year, and four more were uncapped, including Willie Ofahengaue.
Initially, the powerful "Willie O" was omitted but won selection when leading flankers Simon Poidevin, Jeff Miller and David Wilson were unable to tour. Ofahengaue settled into the Wallabies' back row magnificently, winning his first cap in Christchurch and becoming a permanent fixture for the three-Test series.
The All Blacks scored four tries to nil to win the first Test 21-6. The Australians responded by dropping back-rower Steve Tuynman, fullback Greg Martin, winger Ian Williams, centre Paul Cornish and lock Peter FitzSimons.
Significantly, they retained the relatively new Test front row of Ewen McKenzie, Phil Kearns and Tony Daly for Auckland, and promoted lock Bill Campbell, wingers John Flett and Paul Carozza, back-rower Brendan Nasser and centre Anthony Herbert.
Farr-Jones led Australia for a record 20th Test, eclipsing Andrew Slack's captaincy record, but again the Wallabies went down, three tries to two, 27-17.
It was pointless making numerous changes, but with Nasser a late withdrawal due to a gashed eyelid, his abrasive Queensland back-row partner, Sam Scott-Young, was promoted for the Wellington Test.
Two days before the game, with the Bledisloe Cup already lost, Scott-Young collapsed in his bathroom from a virus. Typically, he climbed out of his sick bed to play a ferocious game beside Ofahengaue and No.8 Tim Gavin and was generally considered man of the match.
It was an international more gruelling than sparkling, more engrossing than entertaining. Australia scored the only try through their outstanding pack winning the torrid battle up front, and five-eighth Michael Lynagh converted territorial supremacy into a 21-9 triumph, angling over the conversion and five penalty goals to Grant Fox's two penalties and one drop goal.
Whenever this Test is discussed, it will inevitably focus on Kearns's try three minutes after half-time when the hooker regathered a rebounding ball from a Gary Whetton take in the lineout to crash through New Zealand's last line of defence.
Rising to his feet, Kearns bent over fallen hooking rival, Sean Fitzpatrick, and delivered a fearful tirade at his adversary, one of the greatest of all competitors.
Later, after the champagne showers stopped deluging Australia's dressing room, Kearns provided a heavily edited interpretation of his outburst, claiming he told Fitzpatrick: "Have a nice day!"
It was still the era of amateurism, and the 105-kilogram, 184-centimetre hooker returned to Sydney, an Australian rugby hero and an unemployed builder's labourer, having graduated from the University of NSW with a BA, majoring in economics.
The following year, Kearns and eight other members of the Wellington team helped Australia defeat New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final 16-6. They went on to defeat England in the final at Twickenham 12-6.
NEW ZEALAND: Kieran Crowley; John Kirwan Craig Innes Walter Little Terry Wright; Grant Fox Graeme Bachop; Zinzan Brooke Mike Brewer Alan Whetton Gary Whetton Ian Jones Richard Loe Sean Fitzpatrick Steve McDowell.
AUSTRALIA: David Campese; John Flett Anthony Herbert Tim Horan Paul Carozza; Michael Lynagh Nick Farr-Jones ; Tim Gavin Sam Scott-Young Willie Ofahengaue Bill Campbell Rod McCall Ewen McKenzie Phil Kearns Tony Daly.
Australia 21 (P Kearns try; M Lynagh conv, five pen goals) beat New Zealand 9 (G Fox 2 pen goals, field goal).
