Since first meeting in 1905, one of the three Welsh wins over the All Blacks to date, the two countries have shared a national obsession with the game which has led to a frequent exchange of philosophies, ideas, administrators, coaches and players across the hemispheres.
To this day Welsh Rugby Union board meetings are called to order, by the chairman Gareth Davies, using a hammer and gavel presented by a member of the touring All Blacks squad of 1967.
The precious historical artefact carries a scratched signature on its gavel underside which says ‘carved by T Tukaokao’ with the inscription “From Arthur Jennings, 1967 Tour. Welsh Rugby Union. Wales NZ.” and features intricate carvings of the silver fern and WRU feathers.
The wooden hammer is in the manner of ‘Toi Whakairo’ or maori art carving and, together with the gavel, was gifted some time after the tour by the Fijian-born Jennings – who is said to be the first Fijian All Black, though he remained uncapped – and seen as a particularly useful gift by the incumbent hierarchy in Wales.
It has been in use for over 40 years at monthly WRU Board meetings and pre-dates the current chairman’s own meetings with the All Blacks sides of 1978 and 1980 as a player; games which feature in Davies’ personal illustration of the unique sporting connection between Wales and New Zealand.
“We have a special affinity with New Zealand, our two nations have a great history and tradition together in rugby,” said Davies.
“I can vividly remember the team talk from the then Wales coach John Dawes in the build up to the first of my two outings for Wales against New Zealand, in 1978.
“The All Blacks came to Cardiff Arms Park and we were talking about the 25 years that had passed since we last beat New Zealand – John told us we would be ‘legends if we could pull this off’.
“My over-riding memory from the game is the great view I had of Stuart Wilson’s try in the corner.
“Doug Bruce passes to Bill Osborne who chips over the top of us into the right hand corner of the field and Stu flies through to gather and score – if you were to put it politely you may say I was third to the ball on that occasion, but I was close enough to get a perfect view of him touching down.
“The fact that we still talk about these matches to this day in Wales is a testament to the great and unique sporting rivalry our two countries share.”
On the eve of the first Test this summer the WRU chairman will be meeting the All Black try hero of ’78 Stu Wilson again at a charity function and he, alongside WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips, also intends to catch up with NZRFU bosses Brent Impey and Steve Tew at length during the tour.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to tour New Zealand as a player so I am very much relishing the chance to do so as chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union,” said Davies.
“Myself and Martyn plan to spend as much time as possible with our kiwi counterparts. We will enjoy their company and the hospitality of this great rugby nation, but we will also allow ourselves to talk rugby and ensure that the special relationship between Welsh and New Zealand rugby continues to grow and prosper.”
In all, Wales and New Zealand have faced each other at international level 30 times with the last of three Welsh victories being in 1953, but Davies says he strongly believes Wales can break their 63-year streak.
“From the point of view of the history books not much has changed and Warren Gatland is free to borrow from John Dawes’ team talk,” he said.
“The current Wales side would indeed write their names in legend if they could pull of a win, we have a fantastic opportunity with three Tests on tour and an old-fashioned mid-week match as well, to do something special.
“And this is a special Welsh side, so why shouldn’t they be able to break that 63-year streak, it’s has to be done some-time, so why not now?
“I strongly believe that we have every chance and I also think that the first Test of the tour will be the time to do it. If we can create a little piece of history in that first outing then who knows what can happen next.”
Perhaps Davies is drawing strength from a particularly fond memory he has of New Zealand rugby – it is a game he watched in 1972, when Llanelli beat a touring All Blacks side 9-3, which most significantly sticks in his mind, above even those games he has played in.
“Personally I faced the All Blacks four times, twice for Cardiff and twice with Wales (‘78 and ’80) and 1978 was the closest we got to victory,” he added.
“I also played alongside the likes of Cowboy (Mark) Shaw, Bernie Fraser and Alan and Gary Whetton for a world XV against South Africa around the same time, but my greatest memory of the All Blacks is one of my earliest.
“It was a real ‘I was there’ moment for me, when I sneaked out of school and headed for Stradey Park in 1972.
“Our headmaster the next day made all those who had gone to the game stay behind after assembly to give us a row, but it was very much safety in numbers as more than half the school had witnessed that particular night of rugby folklore and it’s an experience I’ve never forgotten.”
