Fresh from building an imposing record against the Wallabies, the All Blacks eye their legendary test rugby winning streak here determined not to be known as the side who let it slip.
As much as tomorrow's test against Wales at Millennium Stadium is about the confident hosts trying to end
what local media dub "56 years of hurt", the All Blacks will fiercely guard their 20-test streak.
While the Springboks have the All Blacks' number this year, and France will be confident of a November victory in Marseille after their June boilover, Wales carry a heavy psychological burden.
The All Blacks saw evidence of the mental side of continuous defeats this year with their oldest foes the Wallabies, whom they beat for a seventh consecutive time in Tokyo.
"I'm not sure if the history weighs too much, but you definitely take confidence and your expectations are that you can do it," All Black No 8 Kieran Read said. "In their minds, if their group of players haven't won against an All Blacks side, if it's weighing on their minds, then it's a positive for us."
Read is among six changes to the All Blacks' starting XV from Tokyo and, aside from personal pride in maintaining a starting spot and rebuilding a shaky year for the team, the Welsh winning streak is a handy motivation.
"We know the All Blacks haven't lost for over 50 years and you don't want to be part of that team that loses," Read said.
All Black assistant coach Steve Hansen has been there before as Wales coach and insisted the hoodoo was no barrier if the tourists weren't on their game.
A year ago here, Wales led 9-6 at halftime. The All Blacks soaked up the pressure, then delivered 23 unanswered points, including tries to Jerome Kaino and Ma'a Nonu.
Under coach Warren Gatland, Wales have 12 members of that starting side back, while the All Blacks have just seven returnees, with the missing brigade including Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams and Richard Kahui (all injured) and suspended duo Sitiveni Sivivatu and Tony Woodcock.
Wales are missing three key injured men: fullback Lee Byrne, halfback Mike Phillips and prop Adam Jones. Their go-to men include Lions five-eighths Stephen Jones and Jamie Roberts, captain and No 8 Ryan Jones, prop Gethin Jenkins and prolific tryscoring winger Shane Williams.
Said All Black captain Richie McCaw: "They come out with a lot of passion and they hoe into things. I can't see that being too different this time.
"They had us under a bit of pressure [last year] but you always believe if you get hold of the ball and get at the right end of the field you can put pressure back on them."
McCaw rated the atmosphere under the roof at a jam-packed Millennium Stadium as one of his favourites in world rugby.
For the All Blacks, most interest will surround the fringe men: exciting debut winger Zac Guildford, halfback Brendon Leonard, flanker Jerome Kaino, lock Jason Eaton and prop Wyatt Crockett.
All get the chance to promote their claims for the next two years under the tour rotation policy, or suspension in the case of Guildford and Crockett.
With a whole new set of leapers, the lineout will be under the microscope again after the excellent work in Tokyo, while the Dan Carter-marshalled backline's duel with their attack-minded opposites could make it a memorable contest.
Carter trained only briefly yesterday as he recovers from a badly bruised calf muscle but is confident of taking the field.
- NZPA
Richie McCaw says dominating possession and playing at the right end of the field are the keys to toppling Wales. Photo / Getty Images
Fresh from building an imposing record against the Wallabies, the All Blacks eye their legendary test rugby winning streak here determined not to be known as the side who let it slip.
As much as tomorrow's test against Wales at Millennium Stadium is about the confident hosts trying to end
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.