All Blacks expect intense test in 'cauldron'

BY MARC HINTON IN CARDIFF

The All Blacks are steeled for a massive Welsh challenge tomorrow at the Millennium Stadium - and just a little piqued by some of the talk that's come out of the opposition camp this week.

That was the frank admission of New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw on the eve of tomorrow morning's (NZ time) test to open the European segment of the All Blacks tour. The players haven't discussed the Welsh jibes in particular, but McCaw says they haven't been able to miss them in the stream of coverage dominating the local papers in Cardiff.

Kiwi coach Warren Gatland started the ball rolling with his theory that the All Blacks have lost their "aura of invincibility" - a point, incidentally, that is hard to argue against - and since then there's been a noticeable air of confidence out of a team that's gone 56 years and 20 tests since their last victory over New Zealand.

"I'm sure the guys have seen it - it's pretty hard to get away from it," said McCaw who will play his 77th test, and 41st as captain. "If anything it would have helped rather than hindered them.

"We know what happens on Saturday has got nothing to do with the talk during the week but I know the boys are in a good frame of mind. Whether it's helped or not, I'm not sure - but it might have done."

It's not as if the All Blacks needed some surprising Welsh confidence to psyche them up for a test they've identified as a potential banana skin. They're more than ready, by the sounds of things.

"The guys are pretty excited about the game. It's a hell of a good place to play and I think we realise we're in for a hell of a challenge," added McCaw. "They're a good team and a few guys have a few memories of how tough it was last year."

On that occasion the All Blacks trailed at halftime, before edging out to a rather flattering 29-9 victory. On the back of that, some fairly hefty representation on the Lions tour and more time under Gatland, it seems like the Welsh have grown another leg.

Speaking of legs, All Black pivot Dan Carter will play. Despite suggestions from Gatland - that man again - that it was all a ruse and Stephen Donald would run out in the No 10 jersey, McCaw assured the 74,500 who will pack the roofed stadium to the rafters that the world's best No 10 will start.

"He's fine. He's always been going to play as far as I've been concerned," said McCaw. "He's told me all week he's been good."

Asked whether his long-time team-mate would lie to him, McCaw shot back: "He'd better not be."

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has added an edge to the Kiwi side of the equation with some selection rotation, on top of the need to fill two suspensions. That's seen six changes all told from Tokyo, with wing Zac Guildford handed a test debut, prop Wyatt Crocket just his second cap and Jerome Kaino, Jason Eaton and Brendon Leonard given their chance to impress in what you might call contestable positions. Kieran Read is also restored at No 8.

McCaw said he's been impressed by the calmness about Guildford this week as he gets set for a memorable, and emotional, debut.

"It's great to see a guy getting ready for his first test and it's up to the rest of us to make sure he's comfortable in what he's doing. I don't know what he's like underneath but he acts as if he's been around for a while."

Kaino, Eaton and Leonard all face massive tests as they have been challenged by the coaches to show their mettle at this level. The Waikato halfback, in particular, needs a big game to regain some much-needed confidence that has seeped south this year.

The skipper also noted the Millennium was one of his favourite stadiums in the world, that his preference was for the roof to be closed (apparently it will) and admitted that the cacophony created inside the enclosed arena made for extra challenges in terms of communication.

"You can start to feel a bit lonely if you allow it to happen... it's always easier when things are going good. That's when it quietens down a bit."

McCaw also emphasised the importance of a good start, which hasn't exactly been a feature of the All Black season.

"The Welsh traditionally come out with plenty of passion and a fair bit of feeling early on. We have to meet that - no doubt about that."

It's hard to know just how good the Welsh are going to be. They are missing some accomplished performers, such as Lee Byrne, Adam Jones and Mike Phillips, but have quality in midfield, pace out wide, a seasoned campaigner in the pivot and a pack that should give a fairly useful account of themselves.

Whether they can match the All Blacks at the breakdown, at scrum time and in the general pace and skill-level of the game remains to be seen. Their adventurous ball-in-hand spirit may also have to be tempered if they're any chance of putting the New Zealanders under some Boks-style pressure. It was notable, though, that they admitted they'd studied New Zealand's four defeats this season pretty closely.

In terms of the much-anticipated haka, McCaw wasn't sure whether there would be a stare-down, a la last year. "We'll wait and see - it should be exciting. I know last year it added a bit of intensity and spice."

The All Blacks will also put one other proud record on the line tomorrow. They haven't lost to a northern hemisphere team in one of these "autumn" internationals under Henry. McCaw wasn't sure why his team had been so successful in this part of the world, but said the unique nature of the contests certainly helped.

"It's just something different, and it brings a real excitement every time. You get one chance to play each opponent, and you pride yourself on performing every week

"For me I just love playing in these packed houses. It brings the best out in you because you measure yourself in cauldrons like this."

WALES: Jams Hook, Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Ryan Jones, Martyn Williams, Andy Powell, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Paul James, Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins. Reserves: Huw Bennett, Duncan Jones, Bradley Davies, Dafydd Jones, Martin Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Tom James.

NEW ZEALAND: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Zac Guildford,  Dan Carter, Brendon Leonard; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Jason Eaton, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Tom Donnelly, Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Ben Smith.

Referee: Craig Joubert (Sth Africa).

- © Fairfax NZ News