Wales target Carter, Kelleher in upset bid

Byron Kelleher at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales during training yesterday. Ross Land / Getty Images

CARDIFF - Wales have painted virtual targets on the All Blacks jerseys of kingpin Daniel Carter and Byron Kelleher as they try to copy the Springboks' blueprint of how to upset the world's top-ranked rugby team.

A relaxed and upbeat Wales coach Mike Ruddock today reiterated his confidence that an injury-hit side could topple the All Blacks in tomorrow's (5am NZT) first test of their Grand Slam bid here.

Graham Henry's All Blacks go in as firm favourites with Wales missing six frontline players, but Ruddock casts his mind back to what the Springboks did in Cape Town on August 6.

"Definitely there were things in there that we've looked at and we would like to reproduce," Ruddock said under the imposing shadow of the Millennium Stadium today.

"Particularly the defensive line speed of the South African team, they got their line up quickly and put pressure on Kelleher and Carter, so much that there was a chargedown kick and try.

"Overall, they put pressure on them, their lineout and their attack.

"We've got to try and do that, and generate quick ball ourselves from a set piece and momentum in our play, move the ball around to stop them taking ball away from us at the tackle area. They're very good in that situation."

The Springboks beat the All Blacks 22-16 at Newlands, the only loss this year for the team in black after Carter was pressured and shut down.

Kelleher took a heavy knock early in that match after a high tackle from Victor Matfield, and is reunited with Carter who returns from a fractured leg suffered against the Wallabies a week after the Cape Town loss.

History has weighed heavy in the air in rain-soaked Cardiff this week, 100 years since the much-discussed first match in 1905 which Wales won 3-0.

The teams have met 21 times, Wales winning just three.

Their last win was way back in 1953, six days before Christmas, when they won 13-8 in Cardiff.

The All Blacks have since built their winning streak to 17 after last year's 26-25 win here.

Former All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall today wrote in his Telegraph column that the psychology of a 52-year winless streak would be the biggest handicap for the hosts -- but Ruddock disagrees.

"That's something we've been pushing hard for the last year and that started with the England game (an 11-9 win here in February).

"We needed that big victory to get our self-confidence and our team belief and I think we've got that."

Wales went on to win the Grand Slam and are unbeaten in seven matches this year.

But they will have to topple the All Blacks without injured Lions Dwayne Peel, Gavin Henson, Tom Shanklin, Gethin Jenkins and Ryan Jones while flanker Martyn Williams is absent due to his mother's death.

Wales should be able to muscle up in the forwards with an experienced pack, but the losses will be felt in the backs where the All Blacks will have an edge.

Midfield could be a key area with captain Tana Umaga and Conrad Smith against second string combination Mark Taylor and Ceri Sweeney, while giant halfback Mike Phillips will also be targetted in just his seventh test.

Henry gave Wales a sniff this week by benching propping powerhouse Tony Woodcock and flanker Richie McCaw -- who safely got through training today after suffering a minor wrist injury yesterday.

Debutantes Neemia Tialata and Chris Masoe will have to endure an electric atmosphere in the 74,500-capacity stadium with the roof closed, but Umaga said the All Blacks were looking to explode out of the blocks to take the crowd out of play.

"We're expecting full voice. Last year the noise was deafening and very hard to hear calls out on the field," Umaga said.

"If we can get a good start and play the game were practicing to play then that's the best way to counter what they're doing."

- NZPA