Llewellyn brings experience to task of beating All Blacks

Red Dragon lock invokes inspiring memories of 1989 Neath side as Hansen makes just one change to starting line-up

It is a remarkable fact that the Wales lock, Gareth Llewellyn, has more caps (70) than the entire New Zealand pack (61 – and 50 of those belong to the All Blacks captain Taine Randell).

The Neath and one-time Harlequin second row won the first of those caps against the 1989 All Blacks, but fortunately the memories of much of that match have mercifully been erased from his memory. "It does not seem like 13 years ago that I made my debut,'' recalled Llewellyn, who, when he trots out tomorrow at the Millennium Stadium, will be the oldest member of the Red Dragon pack at 33, having been the youngest when the All Blacks trounced Wales 34-9 on his debut.

"I do not have a great many memories of that first match," he said. "I do remember, however, being out of breath for certain periods during that game, but we were up against the side that had won the 1987 Rugby World Cup. That was one of the great All Black eras, although in 1989 that particular side was beginning to tail off. Still for me as a youngster it was great in itself just to be facing them, great players such as Wayne Shelford, Grant Fox and Sean Fitzpatrick.''

This present crop of All Blacks does not contain too many household names, but their performances against England and France have proved there is just as much traditional pride in their inexperienced ranks and Llewellyn is aware of the dangers represented by rugby's black-shirted zealots. "This weekend we need to show something which the Neath side displayed when we took on the All Blacks in 1989. We lost that match 26-15 but, although we might not have been the most talented club side around, we still had a pack of forwards that could take us to the opposition. We showed the All Blacks a physical edge that day and that is what Wales have to have tomorrow.

"Ireland beating Australia and Scotland winning against South Africa is something for Wales to follow,'' he enthused. "We feel we have progressed well over the last three games and if we perform as we know we can then we will be in with a shout. Although this New Zealand team does not have some of the recognised names of past years, they are still no bad side. While there is still that mystique about them and there is a dark side to the All Black jersey what we have to do is to look beyond that and see them for what they are, which is another rugby team. They have their strengths and their weaknesses like any other side and we have to remember that.''

It still seems like an unnecessary amount of torture for a player of Llewellyn's advanced years to put himself through. Surely he must be tempted to follow Scott Quinnell's example and hang up his boots?

"I am three years older than Scott, but I have no intention of following his lead. I intend to hand on for as long as I can. While Steve Hansen, the coach, wants me I will stick around.

"I can understand Scott giving up for family reasons, but for me, although I have three children of my own, it is not a burden to play for Wales, it is a privilege. The difference between Scott and me is that during my 13 years I have been left out of squads and it has therefore made me more appreciative when I am selected. As for my age, it does not matter, 18 or 38 as long as you are still enjoying yourself and I am.

"When I first started playing for Neath I was working in the steel works. Rugby has come on a lot since then and when the game went professional in 1995 it gave me an opportunity to give up my job as a steelworker and concentrate on my rugby.

"Now, whenever I get a bit fed up, or tired, I just remind myself about where I started out. It makes me realise how fortunate I am now. That serves as a kind of motivation for me.''

Llewellyn is also truly upbeat about Wales's prospects tomorrow "It is important when playing against teams such as the All Blacks that you are still there in the last 20 minutes. I would like to think that this squad has more self-belief than was the case with Wales teams of the 1990s. We do not have a great record against New Zealand, but this time we will not have nay sort of inferiority complex.

"I have been at the top level for along time now, but there is no question that if we were to win tomorrow it would mark the biggest day of my career.''

Plus the biggest day in recent Welsh rugby history as well. Their last victory on home soil was in Cardiff in 1953, when they won 38-13. If Llewellyn and his team-mates do not run out of puff, then they could pull off a breathtaking win.