All Blacks seek to preserve home record

The last time the All Blacks lost in New Zealand was exactly five years ago - against South Africa at Waikato Stadium when the visitors won 32-29.

As the All Blacks prepare to play their last game on home soil for the year, another victory over the old foe will preserve a proud record.

After the All Blacks put their finishing touches on their week with today's captain's run in a warm Wellington, Richie McCaw spoke of the rivalry his team shares with the Boks. The South Africans last tasted victory over the All Blacks in 2011 when they won 18-5 in Port Elizabeth but the clashes are generally close - last year both tests in Auckland and Johannesburg were spectacular.

"They're No2 in the world," McCaw said. "It's always a hell of a test match. These are the games that you really get excited about."

Wet weather is again expected tomorrow night, but McCaw's team showed against the Pumas in Napier last weekend that the lessons from the Sydney draw against the Wallabies have been taken on board.

"I thought we adapted reasonably well last week and if it is wet we'll have to make sure we have a wee think about that," he said. "We still have to back ourselves to get our skills right and the reality is it will come down to the contact areas again. If you can get that right when it's wet it makes it a damn sight easier."

McCaw said his team would look to put pressure on inexperienced first-five Handre Pollard, but added the 20-year-old was an exciting prospect.