A GOOD student of the All Black psyche, Warren Gatland knew perfectly well that yesterday was a test of the mind as much as the body for Wales’ illustrious opponents. It was Wales’ one chance. Back on the field where they were so ignominiously and inexplicably dumped out of the World Cup, New Zealand, Gatland had quietly suggested, might have a few demons accompanying them into the away dressing at the Millennium stadium.

Had he dressed his own side in French blue rather than Welsh red, he could not have hit the mark more accurately. The All Blacks are still coming to terms with the defeat by France in that quarter-final and no amount of brainwashing could pull them through an ordeal of history. All the Wales coach had to do then was persuade his own players of the All Blacks’ potential vulnerability and ensure that, not for one moment, did a side superior in pretty well every department start to feel comfortable with their surroundings. For more than an hour, until they got their noses in front, the All Blacks were certainly made to confront some painful memories. There was also a touch of Gatland in the brilliant response to the Haka by the Welsh team.

Two years ago the authorities refused to allow the New Zealanders to perform their war dance after the anthems, so the All Blacks completed their ritual in the dressing-room instead. Yesterday, in a premeditated response reminiscent of Ireland’s full-frontal march a few years ago, the Wales players lined up square against the Haka and refused to budge once it was over. As the All Blacks also refused to move before the Welsh, referee Jonathan Kaplan had his work cut out to get the game started at all.

“It was something we came up with during the week,” said Ryan Jones, the Wales captain. “We wanted to show that this was our stadium, our patch, our fans and we weren’t prepared to give any ground. I think we showed that going into the game.” Jones’s opposite number, Richie McCaw, wondered for a moment if the match was ever going to start. “There was a fair bit of feeling in both teams,” said the New Zealand captain, who was named Man of the Match. “Both teams were certainly ready to play, but it was interesting for a moment.”

Judging by a pulsating first half, the confrontation worked a treat for the Welsh, who took the game by the scruff of the neck from the kick-off and refused to let it go. The Millennium stadium, already in a state of ferment, raised the decibels a notch higher and when Stephen Jones kicked his third penalty to give Wales a 9-3 lead midway through the first half, there was just the outline of a real upset.

This Wales was very different from the side outsmarted by South Africa. This was Wales back to their Grand Slam best, tigerish at the breakdown, swift to counter-attack and uncompromising in the tackle. Jones, a revelation if a man winning his 74th cap and playing for the seventh time against the All Blacks can be a revelation, was halted barely a metre from the New Zealand line in the first half, while his neat chip over the covering defence had Sitiveni Sivivatu scurrying back behind his own goalline before Leigh Halfpenny could pounce.

Could Wales last at that breakneck speed? A place in history beckoned the red tide, but a fumble from the kick-off set a very different tone for the second half. Carter’s penalty equalised just after half-time and the balance of power shifted inexorably the way of the favourites. “What was it in the second half?” asked Graham Henry, their coach, who knew the answer full well. “23-0. That’s probably the best half of rugby we’ve played all year.”

That the Welsh should have goaded, prodded, cajoled the All Blacks to produce something approaching top gear was a credit to the attitude and commitment of the home team. The fear of humiliation now looms for England, the last obstacle before the All Blacks return home with another Grand Slam. “I know Martin Johnson pretty well from the Lions,” said Henry. “He’s got a lot of character and he’ll put that chin out and get on with it. He needs to be patient.” By full-time and the New Zealanders’ second try, the home crowd were beginning to head for the exit. The demons too were scurrying out behind them.