Wales coach Warren Gatland's mind games in the build-up to his side's Six Nations clash with England are nothing new according to All Blacks legend Colin Meads. The Western Mail's Simon Roberts reports.
"Ask Sir Colin Meads about Warren Gatland’s love for mind games and a wry smile crosses his face.
"For Meads, arguably the greatest and most feared All Black of them all, stretches his mind back four decades.
“You had a Welshman who was a master of that stuff,” said Meads, whose nickname “Pinetree” is etched in rugby folklore. “Carwyn James.” It is a statement delivered by the former All Black captain – who was voted New Zealand’s player of the century in 1999 – with a twinkle in the eye.
"For Meads clearly identifies Gatland’s fondness for getting under the skin of opponents – note his recent pre-match attack on England hooker Dylan Hartley – to the greatest coach Wales never had. Meads made 55 appearances for New Zealand in a 14-year period (1957-71) when caps weren’t handed out like confetti.
"A revered figure throughout the world of rugby, Meads will forever be linked with Wales because of James – the celebrated son of Cefneithin in the Gwendraeth Valley. James guided the British and Irish Lions to their only Test series victory over the All Blacks in 1971 when Meads was New Zealand captain."
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