But he believes victory over South Africa in Cardiff tomorrow will eclipse that special day 14 years ago.
June 26, 1999 is etched in Welsh rugby folklore, the day Graham Henry turned Wales into World Cup contenders and christened the partly completed Millennium Stadium with an historic win.
This weekend another New Zealander hopes to do something similar as Warren Gatland’s men begin their Autumn Test campaign.
Howley said: “We were full of confidence and self-belief at the time. It was only two weeks after returning from winning a Test series in Argentina for the first time and we carried that into the game against South Africa.
“It was a special moment to be the first to beat them but you’re always mindful that they made five or six changes to their team.
“When you look at the team South Africa have picked this week, if these players are successful then it will be a better victory than our achievement in 1999.
“Any win at international level is special but when you look at the teams out there, winning this weekend would be up there with the best.â€
Wales have come agonisingly close on too many occasions. However, the inclusion of 11 Test Lions, including nine from the third Test against Australia in July, offers grounds for optimism that they can finally break their mental block.
Howley said: “When you talk about Wales as potentially reaching a World Cup semi-final, a final or even winners, you need to beat southern-hemisphere teams on the way. There’s no bigger hurdle and England went through that in 2003. We need to start doing that over the next few weeks.
“The confidence the players have after the Lions is huge. You can see the difference in the mindset and emotion of the players in training. Now they need to bring that wonderful experience from the summer to the national jersey.
Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rugby-baxter-pays-tribute-hayes-044504409--spt.html
Rob Howley"s ready to see Wales party like it"s 1999
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