Sam Whitelock’s grandfather George Nelson Dalzell was in the last New Zealand side to lose to Wales – way back in 1953. Twenty nine tests later, and the men in red have yet to taste the spoils of victory against the mighty All Blacks since.
Dalzell packed down at lock at Cardiff Arms Park on that famous day when Wales claimed their third victory against the All Blacks.
Despite winning three of the first four encounters between the two countries, Wales have been unable to lower the colours of the men in black since and Whitelock will do his utmost to ensure he will not be following in his grandfather’s footsteps and be on the losing side against Wales at Principality Stadium on Saturday.
“My grandfather played for the All Blacks that day when they lost. It is one of those things.” (Whitelock’s grandfather played with a piece of wood in his leg courtesy of World War II shrapnel injuries.)
Whitelock said his family hadn’t “really talked” about that match, saying: “It’s one of those things. History is history, you can’t change it once it has happened.”
Questioned whether results since then against Wales put more pressure on the All Blacks not to lose their record against Wales, he replied: “We are always looking forward to the next game … we are aware of it but don’t put time or energy thinking about it.
“We are aware of it to a point but we don’t put a lot of time and energy into it. We’re just trying to energise the current group, and we feel that’s the best way to have a good performance.
“Once we step away from the game, those are the things we can have a good think about. But at the moment, because Test rugby is week-in, week-out, you don’t have time to think about those things.”
“You don’t have time to sit back and think about those things. I don’t think anyone playing Test match rugby wants to go out and not win,” said the 29-year-old All Blacks lock, who will play his 96th Test.
Only one of the Wales team that became heroes – prop Courtenay Meredith, who is now 91 – is still alive.
Brian Fitzpatrick, the father of legendary New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick, was also in the team that slipped to defeat after Wales flanker Clem Thomas put in a cross-kick for Olympic sprint relay medallist Ken Jones to pounce for the killer score.
Whitelock is looking forward to another battle with Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones, saying: “He is a typical competitor, loves getting out there and playing in a hard, physical style.
“That is the awesome thing about rugby, you can go out and have a great Test match, have a beer and catch up.
“I am lucky to have played against him a few times so will definitely have a yarn after the game. It is always good to have a catch up.”
