Now not the time to relax says Henry

Coach Graham Henry remembered well the Lions' lack of killer instinct four years ago as he set about ensuring his All Blacks are mentally ready for the second rugby test in Wellington tomorrow night.

Complacency is as big a threat for the New Zealanders as any of the seven new Lions starting players and the improved attitude the tourists are sure to take onto Westpac Stadium.

Last Saturday's comprehensive 21-3 first test win meant there was the potential for players to subconsciously switch off, Henry said.

"That's a factor. We have to make sure we get our feet back on the ground and build for this test match," Henry said.

"To play three test matches of this magnitude in three consecutive Saturdays is pretty demanding mentally. Once you get complacent and an inflated opinion of your own ability, that's when you become unstuck."

As usual the services of team psychologist Gilbert Enoka would be available this week and Henry expected most of the players to speak privately with him at some stage.

"He will see some guys 2-3 times. It might be over the breakfast table or on the bus."

The coach could hold some sessions of his own, recounting this week how the Lions team he coached in Australia four years ago won the first test at Brisbane but blew their chances in the second meeting a week later before going on to losing the series 1-2.

"There were a large number of opportunities in the first half at Melbourne (second test) which would have killed that series off," Henry recalled.

"I'm not bitter about that, just a little disappointed. I'll be telling the guys to take their opportunities."

The All Blacks will need to get over the setback of losing front row pillar Carl Hayman yesterday to an infected toe injury. His tighthead propping berth goes to 42-test veteran Greg Somerville, with Campbell Johnstone coming onto the bench.

The training sessions have been lighter than last week as the players recovered from the physicality of the test, Henry said.

"If we worked as hard as we did last week we'd probably fall over."

The wounded Lions were clearly a dangerous beast, and Henry's players knew it well.

"Like any group of international sportsmen who have had a disappointing display the previous week, they'll obviously be hugely motivated to turn it around. It's happened many times in international sport in the past."

Veteran halfback Justin Marshall believed the focus on the underachieving tourists would only serve to make them stronger. And it made sense for them to have made so many changes, he added.

"I think it's something they needed to do, get rid of the baggage from the weekend," Marshall said.

"I think they're capable, I don't think they've truly found their combinations yet. They way they started the tour I thought it was going to be a cracking tour."

Marshall said the Lions had "stuttered" because their team had been changed so many times through the first eight matches, not allowing the chance to build up combinations.

"I thought they'd be pretty settled on a test side but because they under-performed they've been forced to make changes and again, you've got 15 guys who haven't played together," he said.

"They've never had a solid, consistent side, and that doesn't help. You don't develop self belief and a bit of a bond."

- NZPA