Grand Slam harder than Lions, says Wales captain

CARDIFF - Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas thinks New Zealand will find completing a Grand Slam this month a tougher challenge than their series victory over the Lions earlier this year.

Thomas, who also skippered the Lions, will lead the Six Nations champions out against the Tri-Nations winners at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday (NZ time), after which the tourists play Ireland, England and Scotland in successive weekends.

The fullback, nicknamed Alfie, said the 3-0 Lions defeat had not scarred him and that Wales might be in a better position to challenge the All Blacks, who are ranked number one in the world.

"I don't think we fear any opponent, I think we respect opponents and I think New Zealand have the respect of every rugby player in the world and rightly so," he said.

"You can't compare the Lions against New Zealand with captaining your country against New Zealand. They're just two completely different things.

"The Lions is a totally different concept and, although we haven't had perfect preparations, we've have preparations over the last 18 months with pretty much the same players whereas with the Lions it was brand new team playing against (the All Blacks) in their own back yard."

"So I think come (Sunday) we'll be better prepared as a team than we were as a Lions squad going out to New Zealand.

"Here, they'll be playing the very good senior players each home nation has in their own team and I think in the end they'll find this Grand Slam tour a lot more difficult than they found the Lions tour."

Wales first five-eighth Stephen Jones, like his captain a Lions tourist who plays his club rugby in France, said competing at the breakdown area is vital if you want to take on the All Blacks.

"Because we came second in the contact area in the summer, we just couldn't play and it allowed New Zealand's defence to get on the front foot," he said.

"Then when they were going forward in the tackle it guaranteed them quick ball which made our life very difficult.

"My opinion is that if we want to do well in this game, then the contact area is key because New Zealand are just awesome in that area. If we don't get numbers to the breakdown, we'll get turned over straight away.

"And if we're not efficient at the breakdown, our ball will get slowed down if not turned over. We must control the contact area on our ball to get our game going."

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has left first choice openside flanker Richie McCaw on the bench for the Wales match and will be handing Chris Masoe his first cap in his place.

Jones said that would not necessarily mean an easier day for the Welsh at the breakdown.

"Every team we played in New Zealand in the summer had a great back row so everyone who puts on the black seven shirt will get maximum respect," he said.

- REUTERS