Gatland: All Blacks have lost their aura

Tuesday 3 November 2009
Published By: Ben Welch
super_rugby > brumbies

Wales coach Warren Gatland has been stirring the pot ahead of the visit of his countrymen this weekend, suggesting the All Blacks are not the force they were back in his own playing days.

New Zealand head to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and Gatland reckons they don't boast the presence they once did.

Noting that he was around when the Kiwis went unbeaten for 50 games, the coach said: "When you put the jersey on, you felt there was no chance of losing," suggesting the fact that New Zealand has not won a World Cup since 1987 means they have lost that sense of infallibility.

Of course, Gatland's suggestion that the All Blacks' power is in the myth could be an attempt to distract from the fact that Wales have not beaten them since 1953.

And while his side took a halftime lead in Cardiff last year, they were ultimately decidedly outplayed in the 29-9 defeat.