Llanelli legend fires up Wales to tackle 64 years of defeat

Warren Gatland has turned to the legend who last captained a Welsh side to victory over the All Blacks to provide the inspiration to end the 64-year void this evening.

Delme Thomas led Llanelli to a 9-3 win over New Zealand on the famous Tuesday afternoon at Stradey Park 45 years ago on a day when the town’s “pubs ran dry”. The former second-rower, now 75, was beckoned to the team’s camp in the Vale of Glamorgan on Thursday to give a motivational speech.

“We benefited from having Delme come to the hotel,” Robin Mcbryde, the forwards coach, revealed. “As the captain of that successful Llanelli team and also as a player in the successful Lions tour [in 1971 to New Zealand] as well, there were very wise words and it was good to hear him.

“Obviously the psychological factor is a big thing. Sharing his experiences with us as a group was something private and we respect the things that he told us.”

Thomas had not even reached his teenaged years the last time the national side prevailed over the All Blacks and, like everyone in the country, knows what a win would mean. Hopes are high that, after 29 doomed attempts, Alun Wyn Jones’ men can finally succeed where so many great players failed.

But in all the hype raised by the absence of captain Kieran Read and several other New Zealand firstteamers, it must be remembered that Wales are missing five players who toured with the British and Irish Lions in the summer. And the recent results sheet should also calm expectations. In Gatland’s 10year reign, Wales have only once got within 10 points – and in nine games that is hardly an impressive return. It is not even as if Wales have been getting closer. In the last five matches, New Zealand have won by an average of 22.6 points.

After Wales’s session at the Principality Stadium, Mcbryde was quick to play down the relevance of Steve Hansen’s injury list, figuring that Read’s midweek withdrawal with a back injury could even determine to New Zealand’s advantage. “He has a big influence on the team and to replace him is obviously very hard,’ he said. “However, in some senses that will make them a lot more dangerous because they will feel they’ve got to prove that they can perform without their captain.”

Lock Sam Whitelock takes the armband, with his brother Luke filling in at No8 and the home fans might see some good omens. Their maternal grandfather Nelson Dalzell played for New Zealand the last time Wales won in 1953.

“Luke and I are probably more aware of that match than anyone else,” Sam Whitelock said. “No, it would be nice not to emulate our granddad.”