Paul made the last of his 21 Welsh appearances in the first Test of the 1988 Welsh tour in Christchurch. Injury robbed him of the chance of playing at Eden Park in the second Test, but his son will now get the chance to make up for lost time.
“My Dad hasn’t mentioned anything to me about his trip here in 1988. He has helped me along the way and encouraged me in my career, but he doesn’t talk about his career much,” said Moriarty.
“This is 2016 and what has happened in the past is in the past. As a squad only we can only effect what happens next and on Saturday we will be two rugby teams who just want to beat each other.
“We aren’t expecting anything any easier than usual from them because they have lost a few players. They are the All Blacks at the end of the day, and it doesn’t matter who is on their team they are always going to be a good unit. Hopefully, we can get our stall in order and good things can happen.”
The last time Moriarty went into battle against the All Blacks he came out on top in the semi-finals of the Junior World Championship. Two members of that New Zealand side, Ardie Savea and Patrick Tuipulotu, will be hoping for revenge in Auckland.
In those days Moriarty was wearing the white jersey of England in France in 2013, when he went on to help the land of his birth beat the land of his father, Wales, in the final. That was the first of two world titles he won at Under 20 level, but this weekend he steps into the big time when he packs down against the best team in the world at any level. In the absence of the injured Dan Lydiate, Warren Gatland had no hesitation in handing the jersey to the 22-year-old.
“Starting for my country against the All Blacks – it doesn’t come much bigger or better than that. It is going to be the biggest test I’ve faced, and for most of the team, and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Moriarty.
“Wales have been good to me over the last few years. They have looked after me very well, given me this chance and I intend to grab it with both hands.
“I’ve taken my opportunities when I’ve been given them and I think I’ve done pretty well when I’ve been given a chance. Hopefully, I can show what I can do again this weekend as well.
“There are a lot of good back rows around the world, but playing against the best team in the world in their own back yard is going to be a big challenge. Jerome Kaino is a good player and I’m just looking forward to testing myself against him.”
The Gloucester back row star is also hoping to invoke the spirit of All Blacks great Jerry Collins when he goes toe-to-toe with the world champions at senior level for the first time. He was a huge admirer of Collins, who tragically died in a motor accident in France a year ago, and admits he hopes to bring some of the former Ospreys flanker’s attributes into his own game at Eden Park.
“Jerry Collins obviously played in the same position as me, at No 6, and he came to play for my home team at the Ospreys. He was a good player to look up to and I watched him a few times,” said Moriarty.
“He played in the way I like to perceive myself – as a very powerful, dynamic and aggressive player. He had everything you’d like in a No 6.
“I won’t be holding anything back on Saturday, and neither will anyone else in the team. It’s going to be tough, but we’re all looking forward to it.”
