It’s 69 years – and counting – since Wales last beat the All Blacks but there’s one New Zealander who reckons it’s time to wipe the slate clean.
Wayne Pivac – born and bred in Auckland – admits 1953 is simply too long ago and eight years living over here has only reinforced that opinion.
The Wales coach has a chance to write his name into the history books on Saturday when the teams meet in Cardiff and is determined to take it.
“I know only too well as a New Zealander who coaches Wales, and having lived here for eight-and-a-half years, what this fixture means,” says Pivac.
“And having not missed a game I can remember since I was this high,” adds Pivac, putting his hand at hip-height, “then I know all about the rivalry and what it would mean to Welsh people to win.”
Since 1953 – the year Queen Elizabeth was crowned and Josef Stalin died – Wales have played New Zealand 32 times and lost every time.
But there is hope this year that things might be different and anyone fancying a flutter on a Welsh win has some evidence on which to back that hunch.
Firstly, Wales are coming off a summer where they won in South Africa for the first time and if they can beat the world champions in their own country, why not the All Blacks at home?
Secondly, this current New Zealand squad has a vulnerability about it which their predecessors did not.
They have lost six of their last 12 Test matches.
And before their recent upturn, earlier this year they had lost six out of their last eight.
All of which makes Pivac desperate to do what Warren Gatland, Gareth Jenkins, Mike Ruddock, Steve Hansen, Graham Henry and every coach before them since 1953 has failed to do – trim that silver fern down to size.
“I’ve never missed a game on TV and I’ve been lucky enough to be live on a few occasions for this fixture,” adds Pivac.
“I know the history only too well, I know what it would mean to the country, and I know what it would mean to this current team.
“I know the enjoyment they got out of getting their first ever win over South Africa in South Africa so I know what it would mean to the group. We will work very very hard to win that game and create history.”
WALES V NEW ZEALAND HEAD TO HEAD
| Details | Played | Won by New Zealand | Won by Wales | Drawn | New Zealand points | Wales points |
| In Wales | 21 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 541 | 236 |
| In New Zealand | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 405 | 95 |
| Neutral venue | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 218 | 76 |
| Overall | 36 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 1164 | 407 |
Records
Note: Date shown in brackets indicates when the record was or last set.
| Record | New Zealand | Wales |
| Longest winning streak | 32 (21 Dec 1963 – present) | 2 (21 Dec 1935 – 20 Dec 1963) |
| Largest points for | New Zealand | Wales |
| Home | 55 (23 Jun 2003) | 25 (27 Nov 2010) |
| Away | 54 (30 Oct 2021) | 37 (2 Nov 2003) |
| Largest winning margin | New Zealand | Wales |
| Home | 52 (23 Jun 2003) | 5 (19 Dec 1953) |
| Away | 38 (5 Nov 2005; 30 Oct 2021) | — |
