Fifty-six years of failure has the tendency to affect self-belief and perhaps this is what Warren Gatland had in mind when employing a motivational expert to work with his internationals. Wales have not beaten the All Blacks since 1953 and it is clearly part of Andy McCann's brief to convince
this Dragonhood they can prevail on Sunday where so many predecessors have fallen short.
The revelation came on the day Gatland announced his team for their spring series opener. The deployment of James Hook, the would-be No 10, at fullback to fill in for the injured Lee Byrne was expected, but that of Paul James to cover for another stricken Lion, Adam Jones, came as a surprise.
The Osprey has started only twice at tight head as a professional and the last time was three years ago. Furthermore, his only previous cap was at loose head and came in 2003.
If he does have a few confidence issues he at least has somewhere to turn. McCann is a former karate international who quit as a PE teacher in 2004 after suffering a stroke, aged just 37. He received a UK Award for Courage as he fought back and retrained as a clinical hypnotherapist and life coach.
Robin McBryde, the forwards coach, first got McCann involved with Wales in June. Such was his influence that Gatland invited him back. An insider in the Welsh camp said the players had been wary initially, but "now most of them have had a chat with him". Alun-Wyn Jones, the Lions lock, confirmed he was due to have a session with McCann last night.
- INDEPENDENT
