Head coach Tandy insists his team’s preparation to face New Zealand on Saturday is completely unaffected, despite the uncertainty over which teams will cease to exist after next season.
The backdrop to Wales’ autumn series has been overshadowed by fractious negotiations between the WRU and its regions over long-term financial and structural reform — a wrangle that has dominated Welsh rugby headlines.
This week, more meetings ended with walk-outs, accusations and statements flung out by both sides.
But Tandy was unequivocal when asked whether the off-field uncertainty was impacting Wales’ hopes of ending 72 years of pain against the All Blacks.
“I think for me, it's just been focusing on the All Blacks,” he said.
“I think that's where it's been great with Dave (Reddin, WRU director of rugby).
“I know there's lots going on, lots of conversation in the regions, but ultimately, my total focus has been the All Blacks, so it hasn't been a distraction.”
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Tandy stressed that allowing attention to drift would be costly.
“At the end of the day, we've reviewed Japan, and I think if we start getting distracted with different things, when we're playing one of the best teams in the world, then we could be distracted. We can't take our eyes off what's in front of us.”
That clarity will be essential, with New Zealand arriving in Cardiff after making 12 changes from the side that lost 33-19 to England last weekend.
Only captain Scott Barrett, Simon Parker and Will Jordan retain their places.
Even with such rotation, the All Blacks’ historic dominance remains glaring - 33 straight wins in this fixture, dating back to 1953.
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Yet Tandy maintains that the weight of that history does not intimidate his players.
“I wouldn’t say there’s intimidation, there’s massive respect and understanding what they are going to bring and what we are going to bring,” he said.
“There’s always that aura around the All Blacks, but ultimately our boys have got their own mindset on how they go and attack the game.”
He added: “There’s a sense of excitement to go and test yourself against the best in the world.”
Tandy, who first watched New Zealand as a seven-year-old during the 1987 World Cup, said the All Blacks have long stood apart for their instinctive style.
“They just get the game, there’s no robotic players,” he said. “The way they see it, train, live it, what it means culturally as well and the extras they do.”
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Wales head into the contest buoyed by their dramatic 24-23 victory over Japan, sealed by a late Jarrod Evans penalty — a win Tandy admitted brought relief as much as satisfaction.
Preparing for New Zealand, however, has been simpler.
“There’s a lot written about being written off (against New Zealand), but the focus has to be on ourselves,” he said. “Does it make it a little bit easier? Potentially.”
He expanded on Wales’ tactical shortcomings from the Japan game, acknowledging issues with width and tempo.
“Yeah, I think we probably could have gone forward and probably gone through the front door a little bit earlier,” Tandy said.
“I definitely think we were a little bit lateral and probably our speed of position wasn't quick enough.”
He stressed that sharper phase play is essential if Wales are to trouble New Zealand.
“We have to go to a deeper phase count to challenge teams like the All Blacks.”
As for expectations, Tandy refused to engage in scoreboard predictions.
“I can't control that,” he said. “For me, genuinely, it is about if we grow our game, then we'll be better than we were last week. And then, I think the scoreboard will control itself.”
Despite turmoil beyond the national camp, Tandy returned repeatedly to the same message: Wales cannot afford to be distracted — not this week.
“It's making sure we stick to our plan and our process and how we go into the game.”
