Close thing haunts All Blacks

Piri Weepu in action during All Blacks training. Players were forced indoors by bad weather in Cardiff. Ross Land / Getty Images

CARDIFF - A video-nasty screening of last year's rugby test at Cardiff has jolted the All Blacks and buoyed Wales, as the hosts added in a special thank-you for being spared Richie McCaw in the No 7 jersey.

On a day when both coaches confirmed their sides amid contrasting fortunes - Graham Henry slotting debutants Chris Masoe and Neemia Tialata into a near full-strength run-on side, while Mike Ruddock had six of his 12 Lions ruled out - last year's 26-25 All Blacks victory was recalled by both camps to suggest another tight one on Sunday.

"We thought we were a bit fortunate last year and after reviewing it again, we still think we're very fortunate to have won it," Henry said.

"It had a bearing in our thinking and we know we're in for a hell of a contest.

"Wales are on the crest of a wave and they want to continue that.

"They're well-coached and well-led, and the senior players will be desperate to get an All Blacks scalp - it hasn't happened for 52 years."

Ruddock has been a revelation as Wales coach, guiding them to a Six Nations title, Grand Slam, and a seven-match unbeaten run this year that they think they can extend to eight before 75,000 fans at Millennium Stadium.

Last year still rankles after Wales had 60 per cent of possession and led for much of the game, only to be robbed by a brilliant Joe Rokocoko try.

But the game has been used as a positive by Ruddock, the man who was big on the glass-half-full attitude this week despite a horror injury toll.

"We still kick ourselves a bit that that happened but it does give us confidence that we can stand toe to toe with the mighty All Blacks and perform," he said.

"This time we want to get the rub of the green."

That is just what they haven't had in the buildup, with flanker Martyn Williams ruled out after his mother's death and Dwayne Peel with an Achilles tendon injury.

The other casualties were Lions Ryan Jones, Gavin Henson, Tom Shanklin and Gethin Jenkins.

Just eight of last year's Wales starting team will run on again, and just five of those All Blacks: Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina, Daniel Carter, Rodney So'oialo and Chris Jack.

If Wales were looking for sympathy from their opponents, they got it in the form of Henry's decision to bench McCaw and give the explosive Masoe a chance to show his wares.

Wales' assistant coach, Australian Scott Johnson, who memorably referred to New Zealand as "two poxy little islands in the Pacific" a year ago, was thankful for the gift.

"It's a nice little bonus for us - he's [McCaw] a world-class player and probably the best seven in the world.

"He plays a different game. People talk about the breakdown but he's also a great runner with the ball - just an all-round athlete," said Johnson.

"But I'm sure whoever they put in is top-drawer - I'm yet to see a poor New Zealand flanker in my life."

What he is also yet to witness in his life is a Welsh victory over the All Blacks.

Last year's one-pointer stretched New Zealand's winning streak to 17, with Wales' last victory in 1953, 13-8 at Cardiff.

"I've only been here three years and it has no effect on me at all," Johnson said.

"I think these kids are the same. They've only played them three or four times.

"I don't give a toss about the history. The history is in front of us and it's where we stand in the eyes of everyone else."

Meanwhile, right wing Rico Gear sent a minor scare through the All Blacks camp when he suffered a bump to his knee at training which required ice treatment.

He was still named in the run-on team and medical staff said he remained on track to play his ninth test.


* Millennium Stadium, 5am Sunday

Wales

Gareth Thomas (c)
Kevin Morgan
Mark Taylor
Ceri Sweeney
Shane Williams
Stephen Jones
Michael Phillips
Michael Owen
Colin Charvis
Jonathan Thomas
Robert Sidoli
Brent Cockbain
Adam Jones
Mefin Davies
Duncan Jones

All Blacks

Mils Muliaina
Rico Gear
Conrad Smith
Tana Umaga (c)
Joe Rokocoko
Daniel Carter
Byron Kelleher
Rodney So'oialo
Chris Masoe
Jerry Collins
James Ryan
Chris Jack
Carl Hayman
Anton Oliver
Neemia Tialata

Reserves:

Wales: Rhys Thomas, Chris Horsman, Luke Charteris, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Gareth Cooper, Nicky Robinson, Lee Byrne.

All Blacks: Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock, Angus Macdonald, Richie McCaw, Jimmy Cowan, Ma'a Nonu, Leon MacDonald.


- NZPA