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MUNSTER v ALL BLACKS 1978 THREE MUNSTER PLAYERS LOOK BACK:  NEXT TUESDAY, Munster will play New Zealand at Thomond Park to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Irish province's famous 12-0 victory over the All Blacks in 1978. That Graham Mourie-led touring team became the first All Blacks squad to complete a Grand Slam of victories over Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. Their only defeat on that tour came against Munster and it remains the only time that an Irish rugby team has lowered New Zealand colours.

Donal Canniffe, Munster's scrumhalf and captain, led the team to that triumph in 1978 on a day on which he endured a personal tragedy, learning of the death of his father Dan, who had listened to the match on the radio. On receiving the news, some 10 minutes after the final whistle, Canniffe immediately drove to Cork to be with his family.