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I am nervous about this Welsh series.
I’ve heard a lot of the following recently: new dawn, new era, rebuilding. I’ve heard it all in regards to describing the 2016 All Blacks moving forward after the retirement of what were some key personal over many seasons recently.
Others suggest this team may be even better than the 2015 World Cup winners.
Perhaps in time, but I can’t see that happening straight away.
As a typical All Black fan, I expect my side to win against the Welsh at our fortress of Eden Park first up but I will not be without nerves and this Welsh side seems to have been underestimated in some quarters.
Sure, our back three looks exciting and the succession plan that the All Black coaches have implemented seems to now be bearing fruit, considering a 700 plus cap side has still been named despite losing over 700 caps of experience but a few areas give me pause.
A set piece without Sam Whitelock makes me nervous. An underrated and invaluable cog in the machine, it will be interesting to see how the All Blacks cope in this area, up against a proficient Welsh side.
Individually, the backline offers plenty of excitement. As a unit, it is hard to see them instantaneously gelling. Cohesion, understanding and trust aren’t something that just happens overnight and with a new pairing of Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa in midfield, how they react and combine under pressure will be telling.
They certainly face a test, up against a seasoned international pairing of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies, a successful Lions duo to boot and with the spectre of Sonny Bill Williams and Charlie Ngatai in the background, both players know strong performances over this series is paramount to keeping their names front and centre, a little extra pressure and incentive.
Julian Savea has not been in his best form but it feels like we have had this conversation before. Time and time again we have seen numerous players pull on the Black and perform at the highest level, no reason to think any differently here.
I have visions of seeing him hooked with twenty to go against the Highlanders, after being peppered by Aaron Smith and co with high balls, and it is easy enough to envisage the same treatment from Dan Bigger with George North full steam ahead.
Kieran Read starts this phase of his career as the fulltime All Black Captain and he has been left with quite some shoes to fill though he did seem the right and logical choice. The Crusaders form this year has been encouraging with him at the helm and time will tell how he performs in the role along with a significant change of the guard in terms of the seniority around him in support.
Those old heads we as All Black fans have come to rely on at crucial times are no longer prevalent and a good test of our composure lies in wait through June.
Add in the traditional ‘rustiness’ first Tests tend to deliver, the fact the Welsh have managed a hit out against England in preparation and an additional week to prepare compared to previous tours by Northern based sides and I am not sure this will be quite the walkover some quarters expect.
Of course the Welsh have their own demons to exorcise; a mental hurdle certainly seems to exist. Seventy odd years since their last victory and having never achieved a victory on New Zealand soil presents its own challenges for this group but I imagine Warren Gatland has prepared his charges well and with the added incentive of a Lions tour in the near future, this Welsh side cannot be taken lightly.
In the end, I expect All Blacks to win despite my concerns but if Wales are ever going to win a match in New Zealand, or series for that matter, this tour certainly shapes as their best opportunity for some time, perhaps ever, to break that duck and create a special little piece of Welsh rugby history and some new songs to write and sing about in the Valleys.
This series has me a little nervous and that is exciting.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.