A SMALL earthquake hit Welsh rugby in 1984, with the national team's self-confidence among the biggest casualties after Australia pulled off a spectacular success at the Arms Park.

Wales hadn't lost to the Wallabies in Cardiff for 18 years and had been were widely tipped to make short work of Andy Slack's tourists.

But what unfolded took Welsh breath away as the most adventurous Australia side to hit these shores handed out a lesson in the basic skills of the game.

The brightest star in the Wallaby firmament was Mark Ella, a fly-half of heavenly quality, who pulled off the remarkable feat of scoring tries against all the home unions on one tour.

Also in the side were Roger Gould, a powerful full-back who regularly broke the gain-line, David Campese, Nick Farr-Jones, Andy Slack and Michael Lynagh, stardust all round.

Blistering

They mesmerised opponents with their repertoire of loops, dummies and blistering pace.

And backing them up was a formidable pack that including a hard-scrummaging prop in Enrique Rodriguez, a fiery 17-stone hooker in Tom Lawton and the tireless Simon Poidevin in the back row.

It meant the Wallabies carried a rapier and a bludgeon. And Wales couldn't cope, falling to a 28-9 defeat in a hopelessly one-sided contest.

David Pickering, on the openside flank that November day 25 years ago, said: "Australia in 1984 were one of the best sides I faced in my career.

"They had a passion for playing running rugby and the players to execute dazzling moves.

"Ella was special. Not only did he see things a split-second before others, he also moved the ball quickly. Before a defence could react, he had done damage.

"And the back-up cast wasn't bad, either. Lynagh, Gould, Farr-Jones and Campese — what can you say? Some of the finest players to have played the game.

''Wales had some great players behind the scrum in the 1970s, but that Australian back division was close to being just as good. They were outstanding."

Pickering continued: ''I seem to remember their pack wasn't the worst there has been. For Welsh rugby, it was a hugely significant day because Australia had no reputation for scrummaging yet on the day they gave us huge problems.

"We had no platform and they were able to rampage around the field, with Steve Tuynman and Simon Poidevin into everything."

For Wales, debutant David Bishop was a lone shining light. He marked his big day with a try and showed glimpses of the form that had won him so many admirers. Yet he never played for Wales again.

"He was our best player on the day," said Pickering.

"Why he didn't play again for Wales was probably down to the quality of competition. Robert Jones came through at Swansea and Jonathan Griffiths at Llanelli. But David was a very good player.

"As a side, we had a shocking day at the office.

"But Australia were very good. It was a privilege to play against a side that has gone down in folklore."

mark.orders@swwmedia.co.uk