7. Everyone knows the New Zealand All Blacks dance the haka before the start of a match. But on the 16th November 1905 in Cardiff, the Welsh responded to the traditional war-dance by breaking into song.
They sang ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’, the country’s national anthem, in a stirring first. Nowadays, of course, it’s done at the beginning of most international sporting events, as well on receiving medals and prizes.
8. The same whistle has been used for the first opening Rugby World Cup game since 1987. It’s known as the Gil Evans whistle, named after the Welsh ref to first use it.
