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Wales striker Dafydd Jenkins says there is an “aura”. Nations Championship opponents New Zealand and that their pre-match haka ritual never gets old.
It’s almost two decades since the 2008 pre-match clash between Wales and New Zealand entered rugby folklore.
The Welsh players refused to leave after the haka – a traditional Maori ceremonial dance – and All black people remained in position, forcing referee Jonathan Kaplan to intervene and call for both teams to take their positions.
Two years earlier, New Zealand performed the haka in the dressing room after the All Blacks refused a request from the Welsh Rugby Union to perform it before the national anthems were played, as they had done in their inaugural meeting in 1905.
Asked if the haka ever lost its appeal, Jenkins said, “No. It’s a class that needs to be experienced. When you grow up, you watch it and you see people doing the haka on the playground.”
“I haven’t done the hack but I’ve watched it. I can imagine boys like Kane James (Exeter and Wales back rower) doing it on the playground. You look and admire it from a young age.”
“It’s something special and I think the boys are ready to experience it.
“Last year the stadium was really good at making it an experience for the crowd as well. It’s pretty cool to be a part of.”
New Zealand have completely dominated the game since Wales won three of the first four games between 1905 and 1953.
The All Blacks are on a 34-match winning streak against Wales and have scored over 50 points in their last three meetings.
Jenkins said: “It’s the game you’ve always looked forward to, and the one you’re definitely aiming for when you see the fall games.
“When I was growing up, they were South Africa as of today – I remember the 2012–2013 team and they carried that success into the 2015 World Cup.
“That group of Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino and Richie McCaw will go down in history.
“I played with a few New Zealand players at Exeter and they talk about how important the shirt is to their culture. There’s just an aura around the famous All Blacks shirt.”
Wales passed Japan 28-21 in their fall opener, making it two wins and two losses in four Nations Championship games.
But Wales were outplayed up front by opponents two places below them in the world rankings, and the line fell apart with six turnovers on their own throw.
“The lineup was generally a strong part of our game,” Jenkins said.
“Fair play to Japan, we knew they would be tough opposition, and I think their locks are very underrated in world rugby.
“Small fixes can make a huge difference and we want to get things right this weekend.”