Wales captain Dewi Lake is urging his rugby teammates to draw motivation from their football counterparts as they prepare for a challenging match against New Zealand on Saturday. Recently, Craig Bellamy's
football team kept their 2026 World Cup dreams alive by defeating North Macedonia 7-1 in their final qualifier. This victory secured them a spot in the play-offs, with a four-team bracket awaiting them next March.
The Welsh football team's triumph marked only the fifth occasion they have scored seven or more goals in a match, the last being a 7-0 win over Malta in October 1978. They now have a chance to qualify for consecutive World Cup editions, having missed out on 15 straight tournaments since their last qualification in 1958. Steve Tandy's rugby players watched this game together and aim to emulate the football team's ability to rally supporters this weekend.
The All Blacks are visiting Cardiff with an impressive record, having won 34 of their 37 encounters with Wales. The Welsh rugby team last defeated New Zealand in 1953. Despite these odds, Lake hopes Tuesday's football success will inspire his team. "We were all down around the TV watching them play," he said. "The way they played excited the nation. that's something we've spoken about as a group. "
Lake emphasised that it is their responsibility to reignite passion among supporters, whether they're at the stadium or watching from home. He noted how effectively the football team achieved this and stressed that it's now up to the rugby team to replicate that energy during their upcoming match.
Historically, Wales has been seen as underdogs in international Test matches against formidable teams like New Zealand. Lake expressed that this role is embraced by the team, stating: "It's always been loved by us, being underdogs, not being given a chance. " He highlighted the importance of giving their all on the field with the ultimate goal of winning.
The Cymru Waypic.twitter.com/Crvv1Cnd0F Wales (@Cymru) November 19, 2025
The upcoming match presents an opportunity for Wales' rugby team to channel the spirit and determination shown by their football counterparts. By doing so, they hope to create an unforgettable experience for fans and potentially achieve a significant upset against New Zealand.
