All Blacks: History is with the home team

All Blacks v Wales in 2009. Photo / Getty Images

Things are not the same down south. Carisbrook is in its death roll, the students' soakhole at the Gardies is closing and if things occur in bunches today, the All Blacks ...

Fear not, most would say, as generations have watched the All Blacks beat Wales, it has never been any other way since 1953.

The All Blacks sizzled early a week ago as they opened their season and then, along with the test, lost their sting once the Irish No 8 was sent off.

It was a strong start from the All Blacks, as sharp as they have delivered in Graham Henry's coaching reign, but tonight's game at the 'Brook should be different.

The All Blacks have to back up, the new boys have to wipe the wonder and glow from their focus to halt the side's two-test losing run in Dunedin.

Wales arrive with their sights on making amends for a messy loss to the Springboks a fortnight ago. The Boks may be the best side in the world at the moment but Wales should have done better against their alternate XV.

Wales have a backline of serious quality, men with Lions pedigree, experience and clout. Halfback Mike Phillips and centre Jamie Roberts are tough customers, wing Leigh Halfpenny can finish with the best and fullback Lee Byrne is class.

Captain Ryan Jones leads a sharp and sizeable back row but Wales' prospects, like Ireland a week ago, will depend on their front five.

Can that foundation third of their side hang in enough, do they have the allround skills to attack and defend on top of their core duties?

This is where the All Blacks will look to extend the visitors. They will try to test their reactions to an up-tempo game where the tweaked breakdown and tackled ball laws may be the breaking point.

That means referee George Clancy from Ireland will need to be on the money in his rulings. When his name was mentioned to several seasoned Welsh journalists there were repeat recoils of dismay. Relief that Jonathan Kaplan would referee next week's second test between the sides but concern about tonight's official.

Enter Richie McCaw. The All Black captain has become more comfortable about when and how to question officials in the heat of battle and that timing should be invaluable.

His knowledge of the laws is impeccable, he will be near the contentious breakdown areas and he must put some heat on Clancy's judgment.

For the All Black selectors and their newer charges, the microscope will go on Israel Dagg, Benson Stanley, Victor Vito and Ben Franks for a start.

That quartet must push on from their lively start in New Plymouth, they must demonstrate they are players of international quality with repeat performances.

So too men like Joe Rokocoko and Anthony Boric. The experienced wing did not get many chances in New Plymouth but may be put under greater pressure tonight from Stephen Jones' tactical kicking.

Boric was strong against Ireland and must back up again with the gnarly youngster Sam Whitelock snapping hard and Tom Donnelly almost back at full fitness.

There have been all sorts of gushing noises, too, about Jimmy Cowan and Piri Weepu, two experienced halfbacks the selectors are trying to recast in style and shape. Neither snaps the ball away from stoppages, they both run sideways before passing with the result the backline gets even more cramped for room.

New Plymouth was intriguing and infuriating in equal dollops. Tonight is all about starting again.

There is plenty to work on for the All Blacks if they are to regain their winning reputation at Carisbrook before pushing off to a brave new stadium at the other end of the city.

ALL BLACKS v WALES

* Overall: Played 25, NZ won 22, Wales won 3.

* In NZ: Played 5, NZ won 5.

* First test: Wales 3 NZ 0, Cardiff, December 1905.

* Most recent: NZ 19 Wales 12, Cardiff, November 2009.

* Most recent in NZ: NZ 55 Wales 3, Hamilton, June 2003.

* Record wins NZ: 55-3, Hamilton, June 2003.

* Record wins Wales: 13-8, Cardiff, December 1953.

* NZ's current winning streak: 21 tests since the 1953 defeat.