'Wales - this is your big chance. Go on, we dare you. Break the habit of a few generations, and don't blow it,” says Rattue in the New Zealand Herald.
'I for one will be cheering you all the way when the enormous All Black squad descends upon Cardiff, intent upon continuing more than half a century of domination that has turned into an almighty bore.”
Wales has a new fan overseas, apparently Rattue is bored with his mighty All Blacks beating us and he wants his side to lose for a change – on face value that sounds pretty inflamatory, but read deeper and his message is directed squarely at his home side, the fact that he has set the jungle drums beating over here is a mere by-product:
'This particular rugby rivalry, not to mention the pompous All Black coaching panel, needs a giant kick up the behind,” he continues.
'...after a fair-to-hopeless season, a shock defeat would be a welcome comeuppance for the Teflon trio (coaches Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith), a panel which escapes the serious scrutiny that has shaped All Black history and been a cross to bear for their predecessors.
'But this plea for a Welsh victory is not just a vote against the pompous All Black ways.
'While the All Blacks will cop a lashing should they fall to the Welsh, it would also be a time to warmly congratulate a long-suffering foe, and rejoice in a rip-roaring upset that would help reinvigorate a sport...”
Wales face New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 7th November at the start of a gruelling series in which they face their second Haka in a fortnight when the exciting Samoans come to town on Friday 13th November, before taking on Argentina and finishing in front of a sell-out crowd against Australia on 28th November.
Tickets to support Wales against Samoa and the Pumas clashes are still available, but the All Blacks game is also sold-out, save for a few hospitality places.
Warren Gatland would surely enjoy beating New Zealand in front of a 74,500 capacity crowd as much as every fan in Wales, but he will primarily be looking for achievement across the a Series he describes as his 'toughest yet' and will understandably avoid all the hype about this particular match – but that's no problem, we can leave the 'hype building' to the Kiwi press:
'A Welsh victory would be just the ticket, and not entirely out of the question either such is the haphazard state of these All Blacks,” says Rattue, who goes on to dissect the All Blacks team for 'containing a galaxy of black holes' after his attack on the coaches.
'Richie McCaw and Dan Carter will ensure the All Blacks start as pre-tour favourites for all six games on this latest European jaunt, but there is a galaxy of black holes around those two long-lasting supernovas.
'Take one or both of them away, and the outlook changes...McCaw and Carter are big obstacles to overcome, but nullify them and you are well on the way to victory.
'There is uncertainty in the air and the timing is perfect for the Welsh, who have an outstanding coach and will strike the All Blacks a week after they play Australia in Japan.”
Rattue finishes with some advice for us all:
'The keys for the Welsh will be truly believing they can win and discarding any notion they can foot it with the best sides by shifting the ball around.
'The Welsh need to go forward by the short route at every opportunity, a la the Springboks, and have faith the All Blacks will come up with mistakes under constant pressure.
'If the Welsh dragon can spend 80 minutes breathing fire, they just might notch their first win over the All Blacks since 1953.
'Wales need to get in the right frame of mind. They like to believe in the mysterious, romantic elements of rugby, making them prone to an All Black hex.
'No only were their current players not alive when Wales last beat the All Blacks, some of their mums and dads weren't either.
'Te Welsh players don't really believe they are good enough. That's what Gatland has to sort out first. If he can, Wales could do rugby an almighty favour.”
Wales, do we believe we are good enough? http://www.wru.co.uk/ would like you to tell us. Send your messages of inspiration to the Welsh team and we'll ensure they are passed on to the team. Tell us what you think of Chris Rattue's comments, is this the right time for a Welsh victory?
Click here to send your message.
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