Dewi Lake has revealed the half-time message that spurred Wales on to make history by beating New Zealand for the first time in 73 years.
Steve Tandy's side had led for virtually all of the first half, only for the All Blacks to draw level on the stroke of half-time. Having been searching for a two-score advantage heading into the break, starting the second-half at 21-21 felt like a hammer blow to Wales' hopes of making history.
Yet, just as they did in the first half, Wales came out of the blocks in remarkable fashion. A remarkable rear-guard effort - with Wales essentially camped in their own 22 for the last half-hour - made the impossible possible.
Captain's words praised
Afterwards, Steve Tandy praised his captain for his half-time words that helped inspire this long-awaited victory.
"We needed to attack both sides of the ball and I thought the intention of the boys from minute one was exceptional," said Tandy. "I did love it at half-time with the playing group, listening to them talk to each other, because there was a moment just before half-time, we could have gone in 21-14.
"But I thought the skipper, the way he spoke at half-time and around what's next, what's coming from the next 40, was outstanding. I thought the whole group, whether it be the boys coming off the bench or the boys putting in 80-minute shifts was exceptional."
Flashback to last year's defeat
Lake then revealed how the team had reflected on last year's defeat to New Zealand - when a Tom Rogers hat-trick had put them within touching distance after 42 minutes, only for the All Blacks to pull away.
"I won't tell you exactly what I said because I think that's a privilege that the group that were in the room should keep," he said. "But it was more or less a flashback to 12 months ago when we were in a similar position at half-time.
"Not quite in the lead or drawing, but there or thereabouts. And just a reminder of that feeling for us.
"We spoke about attack and then we spoke about being brave. We could have kicked it off, gone in with the lead.
"But for me, that wasn't us showing that we were attacking that team and that we were going to take every chance we had to score points. And in the end, it's worked and we've dug deep and we've won the game."
Shift in mindset
Lake then elaborated on what has changed in the last 12 months since Tandy took over, with Wales having just beaten top-eight opposition for the first time since the 2023 World Cup.
"I think the belief is different," said the hooker. "For one, the belief Steve and other coaches have instilled in the group.
"I think our skills are better. I think we're a better team.
"Again, credit to Steve and his group. They've come in and worked hard to make us better because that's what they want but also I think that the mindset has shifted.
"We've spoken about it a lot and it's probably easy sometimes to say it that we've changed our mindset and we believe in ourselves. But you know there's been a shift this campaign especially.
"I think I said it at the start of the campaign that this one feels different. And I think everybody has come in with a voice, with a belief, challenging each other to get better.
"And I think ultimately that's what grows a group quickly."
