All Blacks coach happy to heap praise on Wales

Reuters

PRAISE BE: All Blacks coach Graham Henry has heaped praise on the Wales team ahead of the test match in Cardiff.

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Graham Henry reckoned his All Blacks were only operating at 70 percent in Tokyo and the New Zealand coach was happy to heap praise on his old Welsh side ahead of this weekend's test in Cardiff.

The All Blacks arrived in the rugby-mad city from their 32-19 win over Australia in a specially arranged Bledisloe Cup match in Japan.

Henry admitted the All Blacks had been a bit rusty given it was their first hit-out in six weeks since wrapping up a struggling Tri-Nations campaign.

"We are at about 70 percent but we will be better for this run out," he said of getting a game under their belts against the Wallabies in Asia before fronting Wales.

They had been boosted by beating Australia but the will need to get some immediate improvement going against a buoyant Welsh outfit.

Henry always enjoys these visits to Wales where he coached the national side after four years between 1998 and 2002. The All Blacks-Wales connections are strong with Henry's assistant Steve Hansen following him into the hot seat which is now occupied by former All Blacks hooker Warren Gatland.

With some much passion for the game there is mutual respect between two countries although it's a history dominated by the All Blacks who have won 21 of the 24 tests between the two nations with Wales' last win coming way back in 1953.

That didn't stop Henry putting in a good word or two for his old side

"It's always a great challenge to play Wales at the Millennium Stadium. They're a good team and probably play the most balanced football in the UK," he told media in Cardiff.

"Yes I'm probably I bit biased, but they have a very good team with excellent individuals.

"They've won two Grand Slams in recent years and had up to half the British Lions team.

"It will be a tough game, so we're even more pleased to travel on the back of a win.

"It has given us some great momentum and confidence to take into our European tour. Nothing helps a 12-hour flight like a victory."

Wales named their side overnight and the All Blacks will reveal their team on Wednesday evening (local time).

There will be changes from the team that beat Australia with wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Tony Woodcock suspended.

- © Fairfax NZ News