A Neath Warning for Warren

17th November 2008

As Wales prepare to play New Zealand, searching for inspiration to beat the Kiwis for the first time since 1953, Mike Price, our rugby secretary and historian, takes a look at Neath's involvement in an earlier attempt to "counter the-haka" in 1924.

COUNTERING THE HAKA - A NEATH WARNING FOR WARREN

It is reported that Warren Gatland intends taking on New Zealand at their own game next Saturday and responding to the All Blacks' famous "haka" with something of Wales' own making.

But a word of warning for Warren from Wales' rugby capital Neath - BEWARE !

Whatever Warren's plan may be, it will not be completely without precedent - recent counter-measures such as advancing, eye-balling and huddling have hardly proved a success. And last time, Wales even tried locking the All Blacks in the dressing-room to do the haka behind closed doors - to no avail.

And, if we journey back in time some 84 years, we can find another Welsh "cunning plan" (as "Baldrick" might have it) and, sad to say, that too rebounded on Wales.

In 1924, the All Blacks, captained by Cliff Porter and spearheaded by that accomplished Maori full back George Nepia, visited these shores and were arguably the finest side ever to leave the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Certainly their playing record was the most formidable for they were the original "invincible" All Blacks. Although they did not play Scotland, they won every one of the 32 games they played on tour and scored a phenomenal 838 points against 116. Of all the New Zealand sides to make the "full" trip, the only record to bear comparison is that of Brian Lochore's 1967 side who were unbeaten but blotted their copybook when they were held to a 3-3 draw by East Wales.

Of utmost importance to Porter's class of 1924 was the Wales game for it was Wales who had famously lowered New Zealand's colours in 1905 - and it was time for All Black revenge ! The eagerly-awaited 1924 international was staged at St. Helen's, Swansea on Saturday, 29th November. Let John Billot take up the story :-

"When the All Blacks finished their traditional haka before the kick off, Dai Hiddlestone, the little (Neath) wing-forward, led the Welsh team in an unexpected war-dance of their own to amuse the crowd."

But, Billot continues, "It was to be a better team effort by Wales than anything they accomplished during the following 80 minutes of the match."

For, while Hiddlestone's act may have "amused" the crowd, it did Wales no good at all. In fact, it might even have served to incense the New Zealanders because Wales were soundly beaten 19-nil - a huge score for those days

So what of Dai Hiddlestone ? For a start, he was one of Welsh rugby's great characters. From the mystical village that is Hendy, he initially joined Llanelly after the Great War but "fell out" with them and midway through 1923/24 he linked with Neath.

A fine all-round forward who could also kick goals, he soon established himself as a firm favourite at The Gnoll, so much so that he immediately became captain in 1924/25. His leadership and form attracted the attention of the Welsh selectors and he was recalled to the national side for the New Zealand game after a 30-month absence.

Neath outside-half Eddie Williams was also included for his first cap alongside the Maesteg policeman Charlie Pugh who later played the odd game for the All Blacks (Welsh version).

It appears that Wales battled bravely against a superior side but the Welsh selectors were seemingly unimpressed by Dai Hiddlestone's action. During the game, he was swapped from the pack to the backs to cover an injury to Newport's Jack Wetter so the selectors did not see him in his proper position ... yet he never played for Wales again.

Dai Hiddlestone continued to play for Neath with great success until retirement whereupon he became a first-class referee - a poacher turned gamekeeper if ever there was one ! - and he played a leading role in the affairs of the Hendy club, directing a number of players Neath's way in the 1930's.

Long after his playing days, he made one other notable contribution to Welsh rugby - his grandson Terry Price was capped as full back for Wales 8 times between 1965 and 1967. A Triple Crown winner, Terry was a British Lions replacement in 1966 but, after a "domestic" spat that led to him being named for the 1967 trial and the Scotland international of that year under the banner of "Hendy & Leicester University", he joined Bradford Northern RL.

Having had the honour of playing cricket against Terry in his later years, it is easy to see that he must have inherited some of his grandfather's special qualities. In fact, Terry always struck me as possessing many of what I'd call typical Neath ingredients - apart from his obvious sporting talent, he was a massive competitor who was never beaten, defied convention, enjoyed the odd confrontation with authority and loved a bit of fun. I never saw him perform a "war-dance" though - not even when encountering him on Scottish trips when he presided over the Hendy boys !

Dai Hiddlestone aside, Neath made one more lasting impact on the 1924 Invincibles for it was a Neath man, the leading referee Albert Freethy, who infamously sent off Cyril Brownlie when the All Blacks beat England 17-11 at Twickenham. But that's another story for another day.

To conclude this tale of "hamstringing the haka", they say that the great value of history is that it can teach the present generation the lessons of the past. So, based firmly on times past, the Welsh All Blacks' advice when dealing with the New Zealand All Blacks is simple : "Warren, don't do it" !

© Mike Price
November, 2008