Jenkins plays down haka row
Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins is confident the row over the haka which blighted the start of Saturday’s clash with New Zealand will not harm relations between the two nations.
The All Blacks performed the haka in their changing room after objecting to Welsh Rugby Union plans for it to be staged between the national anthems, rather than just before kick-off as has become traditional.
WRU chief executive Roger Lewis now plans to take the matter to the International Rugby Board but Jenkins played down fears the spat will dissuade the All Blacks from returning to Wales.
“Of course they will (play in Wales again). I think they made their point, they made their demonstration,” Jenkins told supporters at a forum in Newport last night.
“Wales equally had their point of view. Going forward I think diplomacy will prevail and by the next time we play them the issue will have been resolved. The autumn rugby series is a big part of the world game.”
All Blacks flanker Jerry Collins and lock Ali Williams both suggested the row had given New Zealand added motivation heading into the game.
They certainly wasted no time in putting Wales to the sword. Luke McAlister scored after three minutes and Sitiveni Sivivatu scored his second Test hat-trick in a 45-10 victory.
Jenkins said: “The haka gives them an edge anyway but I don’t think it really had a bearing on the game. They were just too good for us on the day.
“They put 40 points on England and France over recent weeks so we are not unique! Graham Henry has been there three years and he has done a great job in building a process. The efficiencies are everywhere and they are a very difficult side to play against.
“They are uncompromising, unrelenting, they put you under pressure, they strangle you and then they score points against you. It is tough.”
Jenkins is determined Wales use the experience to the best possible advantage between now and the start of the Six Nations.
“We played a bit against them in the second half and I was pleased about that because we didn’t drop our heads,” he said on the BBC’s Scrum V programme.
“The most important thing is the players themselves have had that experience. Every one of them realises there is another level of intensity and physicality we have to achieve.
“We go into the Six Nations with our heads up. It’s a new experience for me as a coach. It will be a big challenge. There is a lot at stake in the Six Nations, it is the tournament that measures northern hemisphere rugby so it is a big tournament.”
