As Warren Gatland named his Wales rugby side to face the All Blacks, the local paper was putting on its bravest face. A large official team photo formed the centrefold of Cardiff’s Western Mail, below the headline: “Are these the men to end 56 years of hurt?”
Having won three of their first four Tests against the All Blacks, the legendary losing streak now stretches 20 Tests since their 13-8 victory in Cardiff in 1953.
Gatland issued his best rallying cry at the weekend with a regurgitation of that well-worn statement of the obvious, that the All Blacks have lost their aura of invincibility from his playing days.
But in Welsh rugby heartland, there appears hope rather than bullishness. Local television news referred in near hushed tones to the All Blacks’ “mental hold” on the Welsh side.
Gatland observed in his Wales On Sunday interview that his Lions players returned from South Africa with plenty of self-belief, and the confidence of having led the All Blacks after 50 minutes a year ago — the visitors went on to win 29-9. There was also the 26-25 close call five years ago here.
The coach confirmed his lineup, more than 48 hours before the All Blacks reveal theirs with ever-increasing confidence Daniel Carter (calf) will be passed fit.
There were few surprises, with the injury absences of key halfback Mike Phillips, fullback Lee Byrne and winger Mark Jones, while another No 9 Dwayne Peel wasn’t released by his Sale Sharks club.
Gareth Cooper will wear No 9 and combine with veteran pivot Stephen Jones, while regular five-eighth James Hook was shuffled to fullback.
The biggest talking point was at tighthead prop where 27-year-old Paul James will be tasked with anchoring the scrum in his second test, six years after he debuted against Romania.
He will likely oppose one-test All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett who is the frontrunner to step in for Tony Woodcock who sits out a one-match ban for striking George Smith during their 32-19 win over the Wallabies in Tokyo.
The versatile James got the nod ahead of Duncan Jones and Craig Mitchell to pack down in a front row alongside Lions Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees at hooker.
“We’ve been quite happy with the way he’s scrummaged at tighthead and he trained well last week,” Gatland said.
“We discussed the possibility of moving Gethin to tighthead but we feel he’s one of the best looseheads in world rugby and we wanted to keep him in that position.
Wales’ 2008 grand slam-winning captain Ryan Jones, at No 8, will skipper a side containing other Lions players such as winger Shane Williams, second five-eighth Jamie Roberts, Stephen Jones and flanker Martyn Williams.
The All Blacks meanwhile took it easy on their first full day in Cardiff after the 12-1/2 hour flight from Tokyo.
Carter – whose photo adorned the Western Mail’s front page – did bike work today and will be on light duties for much of the week, but the feeling was he would overcome the haematoma in his calf muscle.
Hermin
Guest
didn't they do that last time sure the Welsh can sing but they surely can't beat the All Blacks, When will sides learn drowning out or staring down the haka just fires up the ABs more. I remeber only a year or two ago the ABs being forced to do the haka in the corridor pre match, hmm no prizes for who won that game either. I think maybe the Welsh should concentrate on playing rugby then and only then will they possibly win
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Agree with the first point. No so sure about the second.
King of the Gorganites
Guest
When 72,000 loud and proud voices begin to drown out the tiresome haka u will see what true rugby is about. the ABs to lose by 8 to italy the following week.
silver
Guest
King of the Gorganites Hey king of jokes tell that coach of yours to win a game first before he runs his mouth off. Silly Gatland opens his big mouth but the problem with that is he’s not a player so I feel sorry for the Welsh boys this weekend.
Derm
Roar Guru
Hmmm... Enjoy the match so. Hopefully you get the one-sided, boring, crushing defeat you wish for along with all the unchallenged haka mumbo-jumbo at the top. Wake us when the game is over.
katzilla
Roar Guru
'Once they face a team with passion and the true ethos of the game of Rugby Football they will realise what real rugby is. Wales by 12.' LOL. Since when do Wales represent the true ethos of the game? The All Blacks require Wales to teach them what real rugby is? I can't wait for this lesson. 56 years in the making.
King of the Gorganites
Guest
The ABs are only looking good because they have been playing the Wallabies. Once they face a team with passion and the true ethos of the game of Rugby Football they will realise what real rugby is. Wales by 12. Jamie Roberts will bag a double.
johnno42
Guest
pothole, perhaps ol unco hopes "they don't piss the abs off with their haka stuff" so that the "crushing defeat" is kept to that and not an on field massacre of humiliating proportions. i know your holding your breath on someone (anyone) defeating the all blacks, but handle it bro... i doubt sincerely that its gonna happen on this tour. the barbarians will give the abs their most rigorous training run
Unconditional
Guest
Yes...yes I am. There's nothing more satisfying than watching a team build themselves up, to then be put in there place! As for the haka thing, well, maybe if they beat the All Blacks maybe then they can stand there eyeballing, wasting time trying to prove how staunch they are. They can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk?
Derm
Roar Guru
You're really looking forward to a match where the All blacks own the welsh and crushingly defeat them? Why do you hope the Welsh don't piss off the ABs with haka stuff if it won't work and they're going to crushingly defeat them anyway?
Unconditional
Guest
I am really looking forward to this match! Hopefully Wales dont piss the AB's off with thier haka retaliation (standing there eyeballing) because it wont work. The men in Black will own the welsh come the weekend, even if the media hypes them up. Another crushing defeat.
johnno42
Guest
yeah i read on another site, a comparison of wales RU to a boxer with a glass jaw... sounded pretty apt to me... perhaps I;ll be humbled and have to eat my words come sunday... but i doubt itr