Gareth Llewellyn was the youngest player in the Wales side when they last faced New Zealand in Cardiff 13 years ago but today at the Millennium Stadium he will be the oldest as he continues a remarkable career which has spanned 71 internationals and eight coaches.
The 33-year-old Neath second-row is Wales' most capped forward and he is the only current player for a leading country whose Test career has spanned three decades, something not even the venerable England prop Jason Leonard, who wins his 99th cap at Twickenham, can match.
Llewellyn would have been a member of the hundred club by now but for periods of exclusion from the squad. It all looked to be over when he was dropped after the 1999 World Cup but since returning to Neath from Harlequins he has been the most consistent second-row on the Welsh circuit and he will have a vital role today if his country are to end their 49-year losing streak to the All Blacks.
"It has never crossed my mind to retire from international rugby," said Llewellyn. "Scott Quinnell did so last week for family reasons and, like him, I have a wife and three children. I respect his decision but we are different characters. Playing for Wales is a privilege, not a burden, and there is no question of having to pay a price.
"Scott was always in a Wales squad when available whereas I have spent periods away, which is why I cherish my involvement now and will always do so. I will never retire from Test rugby and it will be up to the coach at the time to thank me for my services and show me the door."
Llewellyn was called into the side to face the 1989 All Blacks after impressing for Neath in their narrow defeat by the tourists. The New Zealanders were glad to escape after being forced to dig far deeper than they were to in the international. "Neath were not the most talented side around but there was a physical edge to our game," said Llewellyn.
"We had a strong, athletic pack which got in the faces of opponents. We rattled the All Blacks but all I can remember about the Test match is being constantly out of breath.
"New Zealand were the best side in the world then, coming down from the peak they had scaled in 1987-88. They had quality throughout the side and were superbly led by Wayne Shelford. Wales were going through a tough time which continued into the 90s but we are a different proposition now. We have steadily improved and I think we will have a shout on Saturday."
Llewellyn's other appearance against New Zealand also resulted in defeat, 34-9 in the 1995 World Cup in Johannesburg, where he played in the back row. He missed the meeting between the sides at Wembley two years later, another one-sided contest, but, with the All Blacks blooding a number of players this tour, today should be as close as it has been since Andy Haden's infamous dive in 1978.
"Ireland have defeated Australia this month and Scotland have beaten South Africa," Llewellyn said. "They have set the standard and, while getting the better of New Zealand is the hardest task of all, it is not beyond us. I have seen a lot in my career but, if we were to win, it would without doubt mark the crowning moment."
Wales: R Williams (Cardiff); M Jones (Llanelli), Robinson (Cardiff), Parker (Pontypridd), G Thomas (Bridgend); S Jones, Peel, I Thomas, McBryde (all Llanelli), Evans (Swansea), Sidoli (Pontypridd), Llewellyn (Neath), D Jones (Llanelli), M Williams (Cardiff), Charvis (Swansea, capt). Replacements: M Davies, G Jenkins, M Owen, Parks (all Pontypridd), R Powell, Harris (both Cardiff), D James (Bridgend).
New Zealand: Blair; Howlett, King, Umaga, Lomu; Mehrtens, Devine; Woodcock, Mealamu, Hayman, K Robinson, Williams, Randell (capt), Braid, So'oialo. Replacements Hore, Meeuws, Mika, Holah, Lee, Steinmetz, M Robinson.
Referee: T Henning (S Africa).
TV: BBC1, kick-off 2.30pm
