Young wing joins Welsh confidence chorus

BY MARC HINTON

Last updated 20:29 04/11/2009

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OK this is getting good now. Twenty-year-old Welsh wing Leigh Halfpenny has joined the Welsh chorus declaring the All Blacks a declining force.

The British & Irish Lions speedster and Welsh teen sensation when he made his international debut a year ago has endorsed the provocative comments from his coach, Kiwi Warren Gatland, that the All Blacks have lost their aura of invincibility.

Ever since Gatland came out and made his bold declaration last Sunday, the supposed disappearance of the All Black aura has been the main theme of the buildup to Saturday's test at the Millennium Stadium.

The Welsh haven't beaten the All Blacks since 1953's dramatic victory at the Arms Park and following that match the New Zealanders have won 20 straight tests between the two countries, including a string of one-sided encounters in recent seasons.

All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina laughed the assertion off as gamesmanship from Gatland, the former Waikato coach with whom Muliaina is more than familiar.

New Zealand assistant coach Wayne Smith was a little less good-natured about the suggestion, declaring that Gatland was "trying to get a reaction" out of the All Blacks ahead of the test.

"I think he is saying it to be provocative and to try to get an outcome," said Smith.

But Halfpenny, who will make his second appearance against the All Blacks this weekend, indicated that Gatland's words had certainly had a positive effect on the Welsh players' psyche ahead of the match.

"I think the time where players were in awe of them has gone and it's definitely about us and not them," the Blues wing told the Western Mail at the Welsh team's media session yesterday.

"We are quietly confident that it could be a good time to get a win after 50-plus years."

Halfpenny said Wales had "moved on" as a team that once would have approached this match with the main aim of keeping the score respectable.

"We have definitely gained belief from last season that they are not invincible," he told Welsh reporters at their country retreat.

Last November the Welsh, buoyed by their dramatic post-haka stand-off, led the All Blacks 9-6 at halftime, but were mowed down by a resurgent New Zealand side after the break as they eased to a 29-9 victory.

Halfpenny said the Welsh had taken confidence by "the fact we had them on the ropes until halftime", though he conveniently overlooked the fact they were outplayed in the second 40 as the All Blacks regained their composure with plenty to spare.

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"Every game you play you learn from and, as a squad, we definitely learned from that experience," said the Welsh right wing.

"We have to have the belief this time that we can go out and play for the full 80 minutes and get a result.

"Anything other than a win will be a disappointment."

Halfpenny, though, did put his comments in perspective when he told the Welsh reporters that he still had plenty of respect for the All Blacks.

"They are a superb team and everyone wants to play them. The haka is pretty special and it was great seeing that up close for the first time last season."

Welsh kicking coach and former five-eighth Neil Jenkins was a little more guarded when he told reporters the All Blacks were still "one of the best sides in the world".

He added: The All Blacks are the All Blacks. They're a great side and we'll know what it's all about on Saturday."

But certainly Halfpenny's words will have stirred the pot ahead of a test that's looking increasingly like it could have a real edge about it.

The All Blacks have been challenged. We await their response.

- © Fairfax NZ News