MARCH 1985
A proposal is put to the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) at a meeting in Paris. Driven by Australia’s Nicholas Shehadie and NZ’s Richard Littlejohn, it passes 10-6
MAY 1987
The first , comprising 16 teams and hosted by New Zealand and Australia, kicks off at Auckland’s Eden Park where the All Blacks beat Italy 70-6. The tournament lacks total backing, with Scotland and Ireland the
