Dewi Lake vowed to ‘reignite the flame’ in Welsh rugby against New Zealand and continue the sporting feelgood factor in the country.
On Tuesday night, Wales’ footballers hammered North Macedonia 7-1 to secure home advantage for their World Cup play-off semi-final with Harry Wilson scoring a hat-trick.
Craig Bellamy’s squad share the same Vale Resort training base as Wales’ rugby stars.
‘We were all down around the TV watching them (Wales football) play last night,’ said rugby captain Lake, who is preparing to lead his team for a daunting All Blacks challenge on Saturday.
‘We bump into each other through the hotel and chat.
‘Massive congratulations to them.
‘It’s the first time Wales had scored seven goals in a game since 1978. The way they played excited the nation and that’s something we’ve spoken about as a group.
‘It’s our job to reignite the flame in supporters’ bellies – for them to feel energised when they’re in that stadium or at home watching us.
‘That’s something the football did very well, so it’s on us to repeat that this weekend.’
New Zealand have won their last 33 encounters with Wales and this weekend’s result is expected to be another formality.
Steve Tandy’s side only inched past Japan 24-23 last weekend.
Lake is leading Wales with usual captain Jac Morgan out with a dislocated shoulder suffered in the November opener with Argentina.
The hooker has never faced New Zealand at senior level, but did skipper Wales’ Under-20 side to a victory over the Baby Blacks in 2019.
Wales won 8-7 in a famous success at that year’s Junior World Cup in Argentina.
Quinn Tupaea, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Fletcher Newell, Simon Parker, Leroy Carter and Billy Proctor are all current All Blacks who were in their country’s junior squad that day.
New Zealand are heavy favourites to bounce back from their 33-19 defeat by England.
Wales are 35/1 outsiders to win this weekend.
‘Facing New Zealand is something you dream about as a kid. We know they’re an excellent team, so we’ll have to be on it from the start,’ Lake said.
‘There’s no point being in the building if we thought we couldn’t win.’
Both Wales and New Zealand will name their teams for Saturday’s game on Thursday morning.
Wales head coach Tandy will be without banned wing Josh Adams after he was sent off against Japan.
