Jenkins on facing New Zealand: 'There's just an aura around the All Blacks jersey'

Wales lock Dafydd Jenkins has described the enduring power of New Zealand’s haka and the broader mystique of the All Blacks ahead of Wales’s Nations Championship fixture against the world’s most decorated rugby nation.

“It’s class to experience,” Jenkins said. “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. It is something special, and I think the boys are ready to experience it.”

Jenkins also recalled how the stadium atmosphere enhanced the ritual during last year’s meeting. “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.”

The haka carries particular weight in the Wales–New Zealand fixture. In 2008, Welsh players famously refused to retreat after the ceremony, forcing referee Jonathan Kaplan to intervene. Two years before that, the All Blacks had performed the haka in the dressing room after a dispute with the Welsh Rugby Union over its timing relative to the national anthems.

New Zealand have dominated the fixture since Wales won three of the first four meetings between 1905 and 1953. The All Blacks are currently on a 34-game winning streak against Wales and have scored more than 50 points in each of the last three encounters.

Jenkins drew a comparison to another southern-hemisphere giant. “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.”

He reserved particular praise for the All Blacks squad that bridged the 2012–13 era and the 2015 Rugby 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 arrive at the fixture having edged Japan 28-21 in their autumn opener, a result that extended their Nations Championship record to two wins and two defeats from four games. The performance was far from convincing, however, with Wales outplayed up front by opponents ranked two places below them and losing possession six times on their own lineout throw.

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