All Blacks Preview

By Paul (23/11/02)
November 21 2002

Having won all of the "Mickey mouse" internationals so far this season, Steve Hansen's side still have it all to prove. Since taking over as coach from Graham Henry in February, Hansen is yet to have beaten a side ranked ahead of Wales.

Wales v New Zealand
for the record

Date: Saturday, 23rd November
Kick-off: 1430
TV: Live BBc1
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)
Touch judges: André Watson (South Africa), Donal Courtney
TV Match Official: Joël Dumé (France)
 

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Team News

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History

History is very much against us having failed to defeat the Kiwi's since the 13-8 victory at the Arms Park back in 1953.

Recent encounters with them have been to say the least embarrassing. The last meeting between the sides back in the November of 1997 at Wembley. In what unfortunately proved to be Captain Gwyn Jones's last match, the side in black ran riot, Nigel Walkers try proving the only consolation.

Overall both sides have met seventeen times, Wales only winning three of those. But the victory against the "invicinables" of 1905, a 3-0 Wales victory, proved to be the only defeat of a 30 game + tour  of the British Isles.

Recent results: 

1997: In Wembley: New Zealand won 42-7
1995: In Johannesburg: New Zealand won 34-9 (RWC)
1989: In Cardiff: New Zealand won 34-9
1988: In Auckland: New Zealand won 54-9
1988: In Christchurch: New Zealand won 52-3

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Match Preview

Having won all of the "Mickey mouse" internationals so far this season, Steve Hansen's side have it all to prove. Since taking over as coach from Graham Henry in February Steve Hansen is yet to have beaten a side ranked ahead of Wales. An impressive performance against Fiji, sandwiched in-between two mediocre display's against Romania and Canada, has seen no definition of how the side has progressed.

Last week's tie against the Cannucks was as poor as they come, but the shocking pitch, numerous problems during the week before as well as a poor Italian Referee, spoilt any chance of a classic. The Fiji game showed what the side were capable of, when the forwards took control of the game.

The positives out-weigh the negatives, which is what was hoped for. The spine of a fairly young team is starting to develop. The back row has a good solid balance to it, Dafydd Jones the revelation of the Autumn internationals is a more mobile option to Michael Owen, as well a useful extra option in the lineout. Martyn Williams has truly cemented himself with effective and hard working displays.

Robert Sidoli has answered the second row call, carrying his form for Pontypridd through to the internationals. It's a shame that his partnership with Steve Williams couldn't have been allowed to blossom. Mefin Davies was superb against Fiji, actually throwing in strait, something that couldn't be said for Robin McBryde.

The centre partnership between Sonny Parker and Jamie Robinson, looks weak. Parker's running lines have to be questioned, the usual outside centre still needs time to adopt to his position, a few more runs up the middle are what's needed. But Parker's long pass is what Hansen believes will help play an expansive game.

At Stand off Stephen Jones is the solid option, but you have to question why Iestyn hasn't played a game to prove himself. Jones's boot and pass are will undoubtedly be part of the game plan on Saturday.

The Back three will probably play like "three full backs" as Hansen described the sweeper system. Rhys Williams is yet to prove himself as an international quality full back, defensively anyway. Kevin Morgan has had little to worry about so far.

The All Blacks have disappointed in comparison to there usual record, but with so many first choice players out, the Kiwi's have been forced unusually to pick non - super 12 players. But still they can boast the likes of Lomu, Umaga and captain Taine Randell, take them lightly at your peril.

They were lucky to draw with France in Paris, a freak goal kicking mistake saved them, in what was an unusually a stagnant display. Against England they competed to the end, in a very dogged display, but they're class and pace still shone through.

Doug Howlett and Lomu are very difficult to stop for two very different reasons, as Welsh defence coach Clive Griffiths technique on stopping Lomu showed;

"You have got to double up on him,"

"You saw when he played against England that if you leave it to one on one he is always going to be the ace card and always going to come out on top.

"The teams that have handled Lomu well have teamed up on him, as you saw in the France game.

"Somebody has got to act as the speed bump and someone else has got to be the road-block.

"It's as simple as that. One person slows him down and the next man finishes him off."

Howlett ran rings around Jason Robinson in the England match, so we'll have to be careful to commit to little or too many.

Prediction

Much will come down to whether or not Wales believe they can beat the All Blacks, we can match them all over the park, but without the belief there's little point in turning up. But if Hansen can convince his side that they are capable of pulling it off we may run them close. If we can take the game to them, and ruffle a few feathers among there more experienced players early on, they may crumble.

Read my score prediction as well as telling us your own on the messageboard