Wales’ Dafydd Jenkins Eyes 35/1 All Blacks Upset: ‘Nothing to Lose’ Against New Zealand

Wales’ Dafydd Jenkins Eyes Historic Upset Against All Blacks
By Alex Bywater, Rugby Writer | Updated: 11:07 GMT, 19 November 2025

Wales lock Dafydd Jenkins, 22, has vowed to channel his childhood admiration for New Zealand’s rugby giants into forging a shock victory against the All Blacks in Cardiff this weekend. The Exeter star, who grew up idolizing the iconic 2011-2015 All Blacks squad, admitted his side are underdogs but insists Wales have “nothing to lose.”

Jenkins (centre left) and Wales prepare to face New Zealand.

New Zealand arrive at Principality Stadium reeling from a 33-19 defeat to England, while Wales narrowly edged Japan 24-23 last weekend thanks to Jarrod Evans’ last-minute penalty. Bookmakers rate Wales as 35/1 outsiders, but Jenkins remains defiant: “It’s a huge opportunity to cause a real upset. If you didn’t believe you could win, you wouldn’t be a professional athlete.”

The young lock, now a cornerstone of Wales’ pack, emphasized the emotional lift of playing in Cardiff: “When you run out at Principality Stadium, you feel invincible. We know we’ll need to be 100% to beat them, but this young team is ready.”

Injury Woes and Springbok Challenge Loom
Wales’ task is compounded by personnel issues. Wing Josh Adams is suspended for three matches after a red card against Japan, while English and French clubs will recall key players like Louis Rees-Zammit and Tomos Williams for the non-Test window clash with South Africa next week.

New Zealand’s Scott Robertson seeks redemption after England defeat.

Despite the hurdles, Jenkins highlighted the psychological boost from the Japan win—Wales’ first home victory since August 2023: “Getting that monkey off our back was massive. Now we can focus on building momentum.”

Respect for Legacy, Hunger for Glory
Jenkins reflected on New Zealand’s enduring aura but stressed Wales’ determination to rewrite the script. “Growing up, they were the gold standard,” he said. “But we’re here to compete, not just admire.”

With a daunting schedule ahead, Wales’ young squad faces a litmus test. A spirited performance against the All Blacks could reignite belief ahead of the 2027 World Cup draw.

Jenkins (right) helped secure a tense win over Japan.

As kickoff approaches, Jenkins’ message is clear: “No one expects us to win. That’s our motivation.” For Wales, Saturday represents more than a game—it’s a chance to prove their rebuild under Steve Tandy is on track.

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