MUCH of Cory Allen’s unshakable self-belief stems from the part he played in Wales Under-20s’ stunning 9-6 win over New Zealand in the 2012 International Rugby Board Junior World Championship, writes Iwan Gabe Davies.

The 6ft 3in and 15st 8lb 20-year-old makes his Test debut in the centre against Argentina today and doesn’t seem to be suffering from any sign of first night nerves.

For the Cardiff Blues man, the remarkable confidence has its roots in that victory over the Baby Blacks when the tournament was held in South Africa last year.

That unexpected triumph at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch came after Matthew Morgan kicked one penalty and current Wales squad member and Newport Gwent Dragons utility back Tom Prydie slotted over a further two.

It was the first time the All Blacks had ever lost in the Junior World Championship and at U-20s level.

Their success was all the more extraordinary in that in the previous year, Wales had gone down to the same opponents by the eye-watering margin of 92-0, former Dragons forwards coach Danny Wilson steering Wales to an impressive third place finish at the 2012 tournament.

“(That 9-6 win), it gave us belief,” Allen said, who today fills the huge gap left by world class operator Jonathan Davies who is facing a lengthy absence after a serious pectoral injury suffered in last week’s 24-15 defeat to South Africa.

Allen added: “When you`re the first team to beat New Zealand, then you go out onto the field and you don`t fear anybody. You`ve beaten the best, so why can`t we beat anyone?”

“It`s the physicality and the intensity that is a step up (from U-20s). The size and the way rugby is going at the moment – it`s a lot more brutal.

“I`m confident about this weekend. If I wasn`t good enough to be playing then I wouldn`t have been picked. I just can`t wait to play.”

And Allen admits he does have to pinch himself at times when he contemplates his rapid rise: “If someone had said to me at the start of the season that I`d be in the autumn Wales squad, then I`d have laughed. It`s come real quick, but I`m just so excited to be here. I just can`t wait to get going.

“When they read out the team, I had a lot of butterflies in my stomach. But I just wanted to ring my mum straight away. I think she screamed, cried, all at once.

“It was a surprise to be in the original squad and if I`m honest I thought I might be on the bench against Tonga.

“But with Foxy (Davies) getting injured, I thought there might be a chance in this game and now it`s up to me to show what I can do.”