Too often in the past the European nations’ tours of their southern hemisphere counterparts were little more than a complete waste of time.
They generally followed the same boring script, the European side would turn up with a weakened team and hardly fire a shot, thereby resulting in a completely one-sided series.
Adding insult to injury was the consistent and tiresome chorus of excuses heard on the way out, such as the extreme length of their season, the exhaustion of their players, blah blah blah.
Previously these series often involved just the two Test matches making it a rather difficult concept for fans to fully support. From 2012, a new concept was introduced with a return to the traditional three-Test series. And though the results haven’t changed dramatically, the anticipation and interest in these series has certainly increased.
England’s three-Test tour of New Zealand in 2014 was particularly compelling and Wales’ imminent tour to face the All Blacks has the potential to replicate this for a number of reasons.
This Wales side has the opportunity to make history. We always hear about the fact that they haven’t beaten the All Blacks since 1953 but what about the fact they haven’t ever beaten them in New Zealand.
New Zealand and Wales clashes have overwhelmingly been played in the principality, out of a total of 30 matches, 19 have been played in Wales. Only seven times have the All Blacks and Wales clashed in New Zealand, the last such time way back in 2010.
Surely for any Welshman this is the ultimate tour, after all it may only happen once in their playing career that they get to challenge the All Blacks in their own backyard.
By their own standards and expectations, Wales are a side who have achieved plenty over recent years – three Grand Slams, another Six Nations, a World Cup semi-final. Without getting into Six Nations bashing, European success is all good and well, however it’s by no means a barometer of any kind of real success and excellence.
Ask most Welshmen and they would tell you that a Test win over New Zealand would top any of those European achievements and that a Test win against New Zealand in New Zealand would top all of that combined.
In June, Wales will have another opportunity to create not only a career-defining moment for the players and tour party but a history-defining moment for Welsh rugby.
Wales will be arriving in New Zealand match hardened, fresh from a Six Nations campaign. They will be coming up against an All Black side who haven’t played since that glorious day in late October last year.
Unlike previous years, they won’t be met by an opposition team led by the All Blacks’ greatest ever player and a number of others not far behind him in the list of all-time greats. This will be an All Blacks side starting out on its journey seeking a new and slightly different identity to that which the great Richie McCaw presided over.
Wales will see this as an opportunity and will be targeting the first Test in particular. If they can stay injury-free up until the tour then they are a strong side and will be as strong as any touring side from Europe that New Zealand will have seen in recent memory.
In the likes of Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau, Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar, Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies they have genuine international class spread across their team sheet. Add into that the prospect of the deadly goal-kicking of Leigh Halfpenny making a return and Wales are a real threat.
They have the ability to achieve what no other international side has done since 2009 – win a Test in New Zealand.
Of course, history does speak for itself and New Zealand is not a graveyard for international teams for no reason. Since rugby went professional in 1996, of all the Six Nations sides touring New Zealand, only France in ’94, England in 2003 and France again in ’09 have managed success, and for that reason it’s hard to bet against the All Blacks sweeping the series 3-0.
However with a single Test victory in New Zealand the stated Welsh tour objective, and with the ability and personnel available to them, perhaps now is the perfect time for Wales to buck the northern trend and create history.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Sorry my man but to say that Land of my fathers is better than the French national anthym is in my humble opinion plain wrong
Rory
Guest
NZ never lose. You just score more points than them. So, unbelievably precious!
SAVAGE
Guest
"Unlike previous years, they won’t be met by an opposition team led by the All Blacks’ greatest ever player and a number of others not far behind him in the list of all-time greats." Point taken. Although we do like to spout "Super Rugby is not Test Rugby" looking around the NZ comp at the moment, the ABs selectors will have a few headaches, but they're good headaches to have. Not too sure how Gatland and his lot will be viewing it though.
Jokerman
Guest
And I think Engaland have only won once since. And that game half the All Black team was sick two days prior. Haha !! I'm trying not to sound patronising!! Hey they're pretty good at 20/20 cricket at the moment - hit and bash hope for the best.
Jokerman
Guest
Yeah they only won because they had Carlos Spencer kicking. Awesome player but not a test kicker.
ClarkeG
Guest
Well yes and no RT. The game will be 3 days following the first test so it will be a second string Welsh team. The Chiefs will not be treating it as a must win. They will no doubt include some fringe and second string players. I just don't see the point actually of these games.
Lroy
Guest
Wales, the team that has just lost the last 9 on the trot to the Wallabies are capable of winning in New Zealand.... OK.. whatever you are smokin.. Ill have a kilo of it!!!
HMC
Guest
Nooooo
HMC
Guest
Rugby was safer with rucking. No one died from it as I recall. Ruck marks as a flanker were badges you did your job. Ball came out without refs. If we could bring it back rugby be a better game
HMC
Guest
Bet you wish you were from nz
HMC
Guest
The Abs need to lose to Scotland or Ireland. That would make you happy? Zero Gain
HMC
Guest
Giot a spare violin here mate, results do the talking.
HMC
Guest
A welsh win would be a massive upset. It's got to happen sometime, ask Ireland, Scotland argues etc... It has to happen. It's incredible how good the ABs are
HMC
Guest
Oh that's gold, hehe
richard
Guest
( No chance).
Buk
Guest
You are right, he did play flanker, but I think it was when the team had a few injuries, not as a starting player.
PeterD
Guest
I love Wales, beautiful country, nice people! Best national anthem in the world. As an Englishman I have to say when the Welsh sing "Land of my Fathers" at the Millennium stadium the hairs stand up on the back of my neck!
The power of Will
Roar Pro
Very good article Cam, Congrats!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
That might not be easier than any of the 3 tests!
CUW
Guest
@ Diggercane : it seems cuthbert is out - though he has been out of form for like 2 years , imo :) also tipuric is being monitored after a concussion. looks like another Read situation.