Dan Carter reckons he will be ready for Wales

Dan Carter's injury

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All Blacks superstar Dan Carter is increasingly confident he will be fit to front Wales this weekend.

Carter took a knock to a calf muscle during New Zealand's Bledisloe Cup win in Tokyo and was noticeably limping during the second half. But he stayed on to kick 22 crucial points in the 32-19 win over Australia.

The immediate travel to Cardiff via London did him no favours but he was in a perky mood on the subject of playing at a sold out stadium in downtown Cardiff, just around the corner from the All Blacks' hotel.

"I'm confident I will be okay," said Carter. "We've got the travel which is never good with injuries, but as long as I look after it... we'll re-assess it."

All Blacks coach Graham Henry also suggested Carter was likely to be on the team sheet when the side was named on Wednesday evening (local time).

In pre-tour planning the All Blacks will certainly have wanted to have Carter involved in this test, one of the tougher encounters on the six-match tour.

The coaches will have looked to get the most out of their top side in the opening two matches against Australia and Wales before getting some of the stars a rest for the following test against Italy before the heavyweight clashes with England and France.

Stephen Donald and rookie Mike Delaney are their options at first five-eighths if it is decided Carter is too much of a risk.

But Carter said he was keen to take on the Red Dragons.

"I enjoy playing Wales and the Millennium Stadium is one of my favourite venues. The crowd really get behind the Welsh side and it is a great place to play rugby. I have played quite a few games against Wales and my test debut was against them."

He has heard the increasingly confident talk in Wales about ending their 56-year drought against the All Blacks and that was providing plenty of motivation for the All Blacks.

 "You don't want to be part of a team that makes history for the wrong reasons. Wales have proved a tough challenge and there is a great history between the two sides. They are an arch rival of ours and we have got a good record against them in the past."

Carter also felt Wales would miss their injured backline stars Mike Phillips (halfback) and Lee Byrne (fullback). Coach Warren Gatland named Gareth Cooper to take over at No 9 and has placed utility James Hook at fullback where he faces a searching examination from the boot of Carter.

Wales also sprung a surprise when they recalled Ospreys prop Paul James to pack down at tighthead after six years out of test rugby with regular Adam Jones out injured.

 "It is a positive for us Wales not having those players," said Carter.

"Mike Phillips controls the link between the forwards and backs and has been outstanding. And Lee can break any side up on any occasion. Not having them available is a big loss for the Welsh."

The All Blacks got through some light training overnight as they recover from their travel and will increase the workload as the week progresses.

- © Fairfax NZ News