Opening points go to the Welsh

Six Nations champions Wales continued their excellent form yesterday with a rare victory against New Zealand.

Wales won a lingering itinerary skirmish with the New Zealand Rugby Union to host the centenary rematch of the first test between the old foes on November 5.

The Guy Fawkes Day test allows the All Blacks to attempt a Grand Slam tour of Britain, a feat which was last achieved by the All Blacks in 1978.

Wales reopened negotiations this year, but talks reached an impasse when the NZRFU baulked at playing on November 5 because it was only a fortnight after the NPC final.

New Zealand suggested a December 3 match, but indignant WRU chief executive David Moffett said it was the November offer or nothing.

There were conflicting events at Millennium Stadium in December and it was up to the NZRFU to accept the only available date for Wales.

New Zealand officially conceded yesterday, saying the chance of a Grand Slam was too good to ignore, while the tour was also useful preparation for the type of pressure the side would meet at the 2007 World Cup.

"The All Black coaches are comfortable they will be able to prepare the team following the NPC final," NZRFU chief executive Chris Moller said yesterday.

"It will be a tight time-frame, but we have agreed to proceed."

There had been discussions about extending the All Black squad, but Moller was not sure that would solve any problem, and there was no intention to play mid-week matches on the four-test trip.

The All Blacks would get "a decent slice" of revenue generated by the Millennium Stadium test, a match which would also commemorate the Originals' 1905 tour where their only defeat was the 3-0 loss to Wales.

Meanwhile, the All Blacks and United States have agreed to cancel their test scheduled for later this year, a decision which has been approved by the IRB.

On Sanzar business, chief executive Moller said there would be a comprehensive review dealing with the judicial decisions.

" ... there needs to be a comprehensive review on just how we do these things," he said.