Dragons RFC wing Rio Dyer has reflected on his ‘surreal’ try-scoring debut with Wales.
The speedster made his first international appearance in the defeat to the All Blacks.
A memorable day was capped by his first half try and the 22-year-old has looked back with pride on his first involvement with the national side in front of nearly 73,000 supporters at Principality Stadium.
"A few people told me no matter what happens, whatever the result, nobody can take this moment away from you," Dyer told the Scrum V podcast.
"You are an international that has played against the All Blacks and not many people have done that.
"With the try, the 10 just tells me the move and I just think to myself run the line and hopefully the move comes off. I just saw the gap open up and took my opportunity," recalled Dyer.
"It was going through my head knowing I was going over the line for my first try on my first cap. It was pretty surreal, but I enjoyed it.
"I have never felt like I did on a pitch after scoring that try. I am not one for celebrations after I score a try really, I just put the ball down and get back. The emotions of that moment though was surreal."
The emotions of the day were clear during the anthems for Dyer - something that he admits did surprise him.
"I am kind of that tough cookie that if you cry, you cry by yourself, not in front of people, that kind of person," said Dyer.
"It was probably just more because you know your family has come through it, they are there to watch you.
"What I have done is given back to them what they have given to me.
"I was just happy for them. For me in the moment it was a bundle of all emotions. I didn't want to (show them) but I could not hold it all in.
"It was surreal. Walking in, warming up and singing the anthem, then we are into the game and everything is closed out.
"I think the next day you realise what you have done when you see stuff on Instagram and things and realise it is actually me.
"I couldn't have wished for anything more. I've worked hard, I've had back steps, but I just keep going and all I try to do is to become a better player."
Wales now face Argentina on Saturday - fresh from a win over England at Twickenham - and Dyer is hoping to enjoy another taste of international rugby this week.
"A loss like that will take a hit on a few boys' egos and the next time you go onto the pitch you want to prove a point and show you do have that fire about you," he added.
"The win will come when it is ready. When we all connect, and we are on the front foot we will start to open up and show what we can do."
It was going through my head knowing I was going over the line for my first try on my first cap. It was pretty surreal, but I enjoyed it...
