Davies defies all the odds

Welsh hooker working over-time

Wales hooker Mefin Davies, a victim of Welsh rugby's regional revolution, is determined to prove a point to all those who doubted him when he runs out to face New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The streamlining of Welsh domestic rugby was meant to be for the greater good of the national team and by and large it has been - except for Davies, who was left without a professional contract following the demise of the Celtic Warriors.

The 32-year-old hooker, with 22 Test caps, faced an awful dilemma. Stade Français had offered him a two-year deal but demanded he retire from international rugby.

Davies took the biggest gamble of his career and went part-time. He works two days a week as a control engineer for a technology firm and literally trains night and day.

Neath took him on to play in the Premiership, and he has stepped up as cover for the injured Huw Bennett with the Ospreys in the Celtic League. As one commentator noted, his career is more over-time than part-time.

"Giving up would be the easy option - the hard option is to prove people wrong," said Davies.

"I am devastated with it all but I can't change it. The politics are out of my control.

"I find myself doing twice as much - playing with the Ospreys on a Friday night and then fly back and play with Neath the next day.

"It has been a culture shock, but fortunately those hard times have been worthwhile really because you could not get a bigger shop window than playing for Wales.

"I have played a lot of senior rugby and never doubted my ability. The only way to prove the people wrong is on the pitch."

But there have been times, especially when he was included only on the bench against South Africa a fortnight ago, that Davies has doubted his decision to stay at home.

"I was gutted not to be selected against South Africa," he admitted.

"The reason given was because of the lack of top-class rugby, which is not fair because it is nothing to do with me.

"I do understand where the coach (Mike Ruddock) is coming from. But being a part-time player - working two days a week, training night and day - is not my choice. This situation is out of my control; it is something that has been forced upon me."

Following a four-minute cameo at the end of the 38-36 defeat to South Africa, Davies started against Romania and has secured the Wales number two shirt for Saturday's clash with the All Blacks.

Davies insists that he is not nervous about taking on Kiwi counterpart Keven Mealamu and the All Blacks' front row, despite limited exposure to top-level rugby this season - and he believes Wales can end their 51-year wait for a victory over New Zealand and get one over on former coaches Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, who are now in charge of the visitors.

"The more experience you get as an international player, you realise a few things. You build the All Blacks up when you are a youngster. But when you play against them you realise they are human beings; they make mistakes.

"I believe people were shocked by our performance against them in the World Cup. That has given us more belief and confidence against New Zealand.

"If we get the opportunity tomorrow I am sure we will grab it with both hands.

"There is no point going on the field if you don't believe you can win. You have got a chance if you are prepared to believe it, and we can beat them."