Thomas was an integral member of the only Lions side to have won a Test series in New Zealand in 1971 and famously captained Llanelli to victory over the Kiwis in 1972.
Warren Gatland’s side host the world’s best team at Principality Stadium on Saturday night.
“We benefited from having Delme Thomas come to the hotel last night and he spoke with us as a front five,” said McBryde on the eve of Saturday’s sold-out clash.
“They were wise words and it was good to hear him. As captain of a successful Llanelli team and a successful Lions tour, it was great just to share some of those experiences.”
On the challenge of facing Steve Hansen’s New Zealand, McBryde added: “We have prepared as well as we could have and we are confident going into the game that if everything goes our way, hopefully we can come away with a win.
“It is a Welsh shirt we have got on tomorrow and collectively we have got to go about our business and hopefully get over the hurdle of beating the All Blacks.”
The All Blacks are missing a number of key personnel including Brodie Retallick and captain Kieran Read, but McBryde believes they will use their absence as motivation for what is their last game of the season.
“It is going to be confrontational and physical, as any battle will be against the All Blacks,” McBryde said.
“I think they respect teams who make it hard for them.
“It (the absence of key players) will obviously play into their hands with regards to giving them a feeling they have got their backs against the wall.
“That makes them a lot more difficult team to play because they will feel they’ve got to go out and prove a point that they can perform without their captain.”
