Wales need a hero as they take on the All Blacks, an immovable object for Welsh rugby

It was a well-chosen song for what was then the biggest heavyweight fight of this century. Rather fitting that the man who goes by nickname “The Gypsy King”, needed a hero before facing the unbeaten and charismatic king of the heavyweight division.

Yet, as Fury waited for the chorus, this symbolism resonates so strongly with Steve Tandy’s Wales side this weekend against New Zealand at Principality Stadium.

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Welsh rugby, like Fury that night in May 2024, is searching for a hero and needs one urgently.

But it’s highly unlikely to come against the All Blacks this weekend. Not even when South Africa is in the Welsh capital a week later.

It was clear after Saturday’s nerveless heroics from Jarrod Evans when the clock was red, the better side, that being Japan, should’ve claimed the spoils and created history. But it wasn’t to be.

It was a game littered with errors, some uncharacteristic and others just through desperation. Japan were even down to 13 men, thanks to ill discipline from Epineri Uluiviti and Faulua Makisi in the first half, and still Wales couldn’t capitalise. That paints a rather unpleasant picture of how last Saturday’s match played out.

Wales were fortunate to get the win. It’s a win that was needed, especially with all the uncertainty surrounding the game, in such a proud rugby nation. The Brave Blossoms looked more cohesive, especially in attack, compared to a nervy Wales side who knew exactly what was on the line.

However, whenever the All Blacks head to Cardiff, there’s a quiet mix of optimism and hope, but also the realisation of what will most likely happen on Saturday afternoon.

A familiar feeling whenever the Southern Hemisphere side comes to town.

After losing to England last time out, that would have changed Scott Robertson’s approach to the encounter. If they had won, you wouldn’t be shocked to see a relatively untested starting XV face Wales.

Since that disappointing loss, they will be coming to Cardiff to avenge that loss sustained up the M4, with a very strong XV.

Going back to a boxing reference, it’s a mismatch; that is what this encounter is. But for Welsh supporters, there have been some minute flickers of hope this autumnal period.

Young players stepping forward, such as Dan Edwards, who has taken to his role as the favoured number 10 incredibly well. The return of Louis Rees-Zammit from the NFL has probably boosted ticket sales for the WRU but also helped the competition in the back three.

An area where Wales have struggled in the last two weeks.

Although there wasn’t much showcased against Japan, six days earlier against Argentina there seemed to be a willingness to attack more sharply with greater ambition.

You expect that not to be enough against a hurt and bruised All Blacks side, who will want to extinguish those flickers of Wales of old.

If Wales is to alter the already written script somehow miraculously, they will need a performance which is anchored by leadership and belief. Dewi Lake will captain the side once again at the weekend; he’ll need to be better with his arrows.

Tomos Williams will need to work his magic when in attack, and Blair Murray needs to find the form from this year’s Six Nations championship, which almost warranted him a British and Irish Lions call-up.

But after the last two weeks, that seems a long distant memory for the Scarlets player. He’ll find it; he needs to find it quickly.

If not, then the dominance of New Zealand whenever they play at Principality Stadium shall continue. No real shock ther,e really.

The aim for Tandy’s side on Saturday is to leave the field, having shown the Welsh public and rugby world resilience. A word that you cannot use when England thumped Wales to record a 68-14 defeat back in March.

Earn some self-respect, should be the cry from Tandy throughout the week.

So, as Wales stand just like Fury did, against a fiercest opponent, doubts swirling, they need a hero for a significant result. Who’ll that be? Who knows, but if one does emerge despite the result, that’ll speak more volumes going forward for Tandy and his men.