'I wasn’t doing the haka': Wales star gives verdict on the All Blacks tradition

Wales forward Dafydd Jenkins says there is an “aura” about Nations Championship opponents New Zealand and that their pre-match haka ritual never gets old.

It is nearly two decades since a 2008 pre-match stand-off between Wales and New Zealand went down in rugby folklore.

Welsh players refused to walk away after the haka – a traditional ceremonial Maori posture dance – and the All Blacks remained still in position, forcing referee Jonathan Kaplan to intervene and urge both teams to take their positions.

Two years earlier, New Zealand had conducted the haka in the dressing room after the All Blacks refused the Welsh Rugby Union’s request to perform it before the national anthems were played, as it had been in their inaugural 1905 meeting.

Asked if the haka has ever lost its appeal, Jenkins said: “No. It’s class to experience. When you’re growing up, you watch it and see people performing the haka in the playground.

“I wasn’t doing the haka, but I was watching it. I can imagine boys like Kane James (Exeter and Wales back rower) performing it in the playground. You look and admire it from a young age.

“It is something special, and I think the boys are ready to experience it.

“Last year, the stadium did really well in making it an experience for the crowd as well. It’s pretty cool to be part of.”

New Zealand have completely dominated the fixture since Wales won three of the first four games between 1905 and 1953.

The All Blacks are on a 34-game winning streak against Wales and have scored over 50 points in the last three meetings.

Jenkins said: “It’s a game you’ve always looked forward to, and one you definitely target when you see the autumn fixtures.

“When I was growing up, they were the South Africa of today – I remember the 2012–2013 team and they carried that success into the 2015 World Cup.

“That group of Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino and Richie McCaw will go down in history.

“I’ve played with a few New Zealand players at Exeter, and they talk about how important the jersey is to their culture. There’s just an aura around the famous All Blacks jersey.”

Wales edged past Japan 28-21 in their autumn opener to make it two wins and two defeats from four Nations Championship games.

But Wales were outplayed up front by opponents two places below them in the world rankings, and the lineout disintegrated with possession lost six times on their own throw.

“The lineout has generally been a strong part of our game,” said Jenkins.

“Fair play to Japan, we knew they were going to be tough opposition, and I think their locks are very underrated in world rugby.

“The little fixes can make a huge difference, and we’re looking to put things right this weekend.”