All Blacks: Wales will be tougher, says Henry

All Blacks coach Graham Henry believes his side will get a tougher challenger against Wales this weekend. Photo / Getty Images

Part of Graham Henry probably feels he has to ramp up Wales' chances.

They were his original international employers in 1998 before he embarked on British Lions duty then clambered into the All Blacks suit seven years ago.

With Ireland cleaned out 66-28 on Saturday after the brain fade from their No 8, Henry had to persuade his young All Black squad test rugby was an awkward proposition.

His efforts would not have been helped by comments from his former provincial and All Black No 8 Xavier Rush who felt Wales would battle in their twin-test trip.

"When you have to travel downunder [and] play in front of a New Zealand home crowd and in the atmosphere they create, it's very difficult for teams and they find it hard to cope," Rush said.

"I would be surprised if Wales come away with anything.

"Without Shane Williams, Martyn Williams, Gethin Jenkins and James Hook - four crucial players for Wales - I don't think they have enough."

Not the sort of comments Henry would want his squad to digest, nor are they words of huge encouragement for Wales coach Warren Gatland.

Henry thought Wales would be a tougher foe than the Irish, but issued that opinion with the appended note that it was difficult to travel from the other side of the world to play a test in a week in Dunedin.

Ireland had taken half the New Plymouth test to collect themselves after the rousing All Black start and the red and yellow cards for Jamie Heaslip and Ronan O'Gara. Ireland and Wales had similar records and players.

The All Blacks emerged almost unscathed from their opening win as they pitched six of their squad into their debut international. They had shown the benefits of being in camp for some time leading into the test and Henry could not remember a better start to a season.

His opening match as All Black coach in 2004 was not bad, a 36-3 win being recorded against World Cup champions England, while the 91-0 win against Fiji a year later was emphatic.

On Saturday, the All Blacks were cohesive and destructive in the opening spell before dropping their intensity after the interval.

Blindside flanker Jerome Kaino was subbed because of a calf muscle problem, Cory Jane was troubled by a sore groin and Owen Franks was battered.

Defeated skipper Brian O'Driscoll highlighted the problems facing Wales. "You have got to stop the speed of their ruck ball, otherwise you cannot set your backline defence," he said. "The Welsh are a side capable of upsets, if they start well."

Wales flew yesterday to Wellington where they will train and stay until Thursday night when they transfer to Dunedin and announce their test selection.

For the second test in Gatland's former Waikato habitat, the Welsh travel to Hamilton the day after the opening international.

Damaged All Black squad members Mils Muliaina and Richard Kahui both survived a weekend return to club rugby in Hamilton and were to join the national squad this week. Whether they are considered healthy enough to start will be decided after further testing today before the side is announced tomorrow.