Lake using football success as inspiration as Wales face New Zealand

Wales captain Dewi Lake wants his team-mates to take inspiration from their football counterparts as they look to cause a monumental upset against New Zealand on Saturday.

On Tuesday, Craig Bellamy’s football side kept their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup alive as they trounced North Macedonia 7-1 in their final qualifier.

That win sealed their place in the play-offs to reach FIFA’s flagship tournament, with a four-team bracket awaiting them next March.

It was only the fifth time Wales have ever scored seven or more goals in a match, and the first since thumping Malta 7-0 in October 1978.

They could now reach back-to-back editions of the World Cup, having missed 15 straight editions after qualifying in 1958.

Steve Tandy’s players gathered to watch that game and want to replicate the way Bellamy’s side galvanised supporters this weekend.

The All Blacks visit Cardiff having won 34 of the teams’ 37 all-time head-to-head meetings, with Wales’ last victory over them coming in 1953.

But Lake is hoping Tuesday’s football result serves as inspiration, saying: “We were all down around the TV watching them play.

“The way they played excited the nation… that’s something we’ve spoken about as a group.

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“It’s our job is to reignite the flame in supporters’ bellies, for them to feel energised when they’re in that stadium or at home watching us.

“That’s something the football team did very well, so it’s on us to repeat it this weekend.

“Wales have always been massive underdogs in any kind of international Test match against a team like New Zealand.

“It’s always been loved by us, being underdogs, not being given a chance.

“It’s about going out there and doing everything we can to win, because ultimately that is what we want.”