By David Williams
It’s 69 years – and counting – since Wales last beat the All Blacks but there’s one New Zealander who reckons it’s time to wipe the slate clean.
Wayne Pivac – born and bred in Auckland – admits 1953 is simply too long ago and eight years living over here has only reinforced that opinion.
The Wales coach has a chance to write his name into the history books on Saturday when the teams meet in Cardiff and is determined to take it.
“I know only too well as a New Zealander who coaches Wales, and having lived here for eight-and-a-half years, what this fixture means,” says Pivac.
“And having not missed a game I can remember since I was this high,” adds Pivac, putting his hand at hip-height, “then I know all about the rivalry and what it would mean to Welsh people to win.”
Since 1953 – the year Queen Elizabeth was crowned and Josef Stalin died – Wales have played New Zealand 32 times and lost every time.
But there is hope this year that things might be different and anyone fancying a flutter on a Welsh win has some evidence on which to back that hunch.
Firstly, Wales are coming off a summer where they won in South Africa for the first time and if they can beat the world champions in their own country, why not the All Blacks at home?
🍂 “Autumn in Wales, this is where we play…” 🏴
Diolch Eddie pic.twitter.com/MDz4H2zajA
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 4, 2022
Secondly, this current New Zealand squad has a vulnerability about it which their predecessors did not.
They have lost six of their last 12 Test matches.
And before their recent upturn, earlier this year they had lost six out of their last eight.
All of which makes Pivac desperate to do what Warren Gatland, Gareth Jenkins, Mike Ruddock, Steve Hansen, Graham Henry and every coach before them since 1953 has failed to do – trim that silver fern down to size.
“I’ve never missed a game on TV and I’ve been lucky enough to be live on a few occasions for this fixture,” adds Pivac.
“I know the history only too well, I know what it would mean to the country, and I know what it would mean to this current team.
“I know the enjoyment they got out of getting their first ever win over South Africa in South Africa so I know what it would mean to the group. We will work very very hard to win that game and create history.”
Justin Tipuric is relishing the prospect of leading Wales out against New Zealand in front of a capacity crowd at the Principality Stadium.
Going through some old clips of Wales v New Zealand clashes in Cardiff, starting with our most recent closest loss to the All Blacks.
Tom Shanklin gets to this Stephen Jones kick ahead of future team-mate Casey Laulala as we lose 25-26 in 2004. pic.twitter.com/YOjiuG06ek
— Cardiff Rugby Life (@CardiffRugbyWeb) November 4, 2022
The Ospreys player has captained his country previously but this one is extra special for the Trebanos man who spent over a year on the sidelines as a result of a shattered scapula. Tipuric worked extremely hard to get back on to the pitch, and tomorrow’s clash against the All Blacks is just rewards for his efforts.
“It will be nice to be back out at the stadium with a full house,” he said. “We are trying to play the best rugby we can, and we are making sure we can keep our eye on the ball,” he said.
“In the past you probably take it for granted where you cherish these moments and really enjoy it. I’m looking forward to being part of the team, running back out there and trying to do the job.
“I’d have liked to have played some more rugby but hopefully experience will help, and the knowledge will come along with it. We know it is going to be a tough game.
“We know there are going to be some sticky periods out there where we are going to have to dig in, and dig deep.”
Tipuric will line up in the number six shirt tomorrow with the outstanding Tommy Reffell starting at openisde. With Taulupe Faletau starting at No 8 Tipuric believes there is a nice balance among the loose-forward trio.
“I’ve obviously played there (blindside) a couple of times before,” he said. “I’m just trying to work out different roles we do in the team really and trying to gel well as a back-three with Christ (Tsihunza) adding energy off the bench.
Justin Tipuric’s hair. That’s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/l5g3A7C1yw
— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) November 1, 2022
“He’s (Faletau) great. He’s obviously great to have in and around the squad as well especially with his experience but what he brings on the pitch just speaks for itself.
“Every time he plays, he’s always 8/10 or above. He’s massive for us.”
The All Blacks have experienced a turbulent season but recently won both the Bledisloe Cup and the Rugby Championship. And Tipuric is expecting a stern challenge in Cardiff tomorrow.
“It’s going to be a tough old game,” said Tipuric. “The back-row is looking good.
“It’s going to be a tough physical game, and it will be brutal in areas. We know what they are going to bring.
“It’s one of those things every time you play the All Blacks you ask is it the perfect time or is it not. It’s happened many times over the last couple of years that we’ve been in there.
“They obviously had a good win over the weekend against Japan. It’s never a good time to play the All Blacks let’s be honest.
Wales team to NZ on Saturday #walvnzl pic.twitter.com/KPMYW7E71E
— Mike Pearce Rugby (@MPsportsdragon) November 3, 2022
“It’s always a tough game no matter what team you are coming up against we’ve got to make sure we put our best foot forward and make it a good game for us.”
Wales have come close to beating New Zealand in recent years but have fallen away in the final quarter of the game. And Tipuric has warned his teammates it will require a complete 80-minute performance to get one over on the men in black.
“New Zealand always finish strong,” he said. “That’s one thing that’s obvious and people notice every time you play New Zealand they finish strong.
“That’s the one big thing we need to make sure we get right. We’ve got to repeat everything.
“When you are out on the field you can’t switch off otherwise they take advantage of it. In the past we started well against them and then they pull away in the last 20 minutes.
“The big thing is whether we can stick it for the full 80 minutes.”
