Far from worrying about taking on “the best team in the world”, Edwards wants the players to embrace the challenge and relish the three huge opportunities presented to them this month.
When asked at today’s press conference what his final words would be in the dressing room he said: “As a young man, fit and healthy, playing for your country, is there anywhere else you’d rather be in the world right now than going out to compete against the best team in the world.”
There will be no fear in the Welsh camp, just a realisation that they have to get their processes perfect if they are to pull off the win of the century.
“I have never thought about confidence – I don’t know what confidence is. I am a process driven person whereby if you do that right, and that right and that right you have every chance of winning,” explained Edwards.
“If we don’t do it, then we will get penalised by the best team in the world at the moment. We know we are a process driven team and that if we execute then we are in with a chance.”
But the former rugby league great, who has been coaching alongside Warren Gatland with Wales since 2008, claims there will be no margin for error in Auckland, Hamilton or Dunedin this month against an All Blacks side heralded as the World Team of the Year at the Laureus Awards in Berlin earlier this year.
“We know going into this game that any errors will be capitalised on because we are playing against a team that is THE best team in the world, not just the best rugby team. For the All Blacks to be selected, a few weeks ago over in Europe, above Barcelona and above all the American teams is just fantastic,” said Edwards.
“To get that recognition is marvellous and the All Blacks have done a great job in selling the game. To have a home record that shows they haven’t lost in Auckland since 1994 and that the last time they lost anywhere at home was in 2009 is incredible.
“They are double world champions and they portray a good image for the game of rugby. When they come to the UK everybody knows who the All Blacks are and about the Haka. It’s a great way to spread the rugby gospel around the world.”
For the record, the All Blacks beat off the challenge of Lionel Messi’s Barcelona, the Great Britain David Cup winning team, the Golden State Warriors US basketball side, Mercedes F1 and the United States women’s World Cup winning squad to be named as the World Team of the Year.
