However the season was to prove to be a very much up and down affair and at times Newport suffered embarrassing defeats and it appeared that a new approach and new players would be needed to get Newport back to the heights again. However it was not all bad. Newport were the only British club to send two players - David Watkins and wing Stuart Watkins who had a meteoric rise since transferring from Cross Keys - to South Africa for the jubilee world rugby series. Brian Price, Peter Rees and John Mantle joined David Watkins when Wales played in South Africa in the summer of 1964.
It is worth noting that Brian Price and David Watkins were captain and vice captain of Wales in the Home Nations and during the internationals were joined by Stuart Watkins, Alan Thomas, John Mantle and Peter Rees i.e. a total of 14 caps.
Ian Ford completed 453 matches leaving Roy Burnett's 372 set in 1958-59 way behind. Brian Jones passed 300 appearances for Newport.
David Watkins confirmed what a talented player he was and benefited from his partnership with Bob Prosser and also his replacement Stuart Clode when injured. Although the centre play was not outstanding the wings flourished with fine form from Stuart Watkins (16t), Dennis Perrott (14t) and Peter Rees (13t). Newport had a settled front row of David Jones (42 appearances), Graham Bevan (41 apps) and Nev Johnson (37 apps). The back row of Glynn Davidge, Keith Poole - who was playing only his 2nd game when he played against New Zealand - and Alan Thomas did well as did 2nd row Bill Morris a Wales U23 player from New Brighton. Promising youngster Vic Perrins deputised a number of times for Bevan.
Ray Cheney, although sometimes erratic was top scorer with 171pts and David Watkins dropped 10 goals. Brian Jones (42), David Jones (42) and Graham Bevan (41) led the appearances.
Another famous Newport win ...
The defeat of the All Blacks in October was cited as inspiration for the town's football club, Newport County, as they took on Sheffield Wednesday in the third round of the FA Cup on 4th January 1964.
In his match programme notes, Councillor Syd Jenkins, Vice-Chairman of Newport County AFC, included the following: "In October Newport was put on the map by the great win of Newport Rugby Club over the "All Blacks", today we hope the County can emulate this feat ...". County, in 14th position in the Fourth Division of the Football League (lying between Stockport County and Bradford City) defeated Sheffield Wednesday (in 6th position of the First Division lying between Manchester United and Chelsea) at Somerton Park 3 v 2. A never-to-be-forgotten "giant killing" to make it a great sporting season for Newport.
