KEY POINTS:
CARDIFF - The spectre of France not Wales greeted the All Blacks when they returned to a scene of their World Cup devastation here today.
Key players and coach Graham Henry were asked by journalists to reminisce about New Zealand's 18-20 quarterfinal loss to France more than a
year ago at Millennium Stadium, the venue for Sunday's (NZT) test against Wales.
"Thanks for bringing that up," Henry replied.
"I've been involved with a few games at the stadium over the years - some have been very positive, others have been disappointing - that's the nature of the game I'm afraid," said Henry, who coached Wales between 1998-2002.
Asked if he thought he would ever be in a position to coach again in the Welsh capital after the World Cup, Henry was reluctant to delve too deeply into history.
"At the time I was in a state of flux about what I was going to do in the future really," he said, revealing his thought process before he was eventually reappointed for a two-year term.
"That's a long story and that story's been told a million times - I don't think it needs to be told a million and one," he said.
"I think you all know about that story."
Captain Richie McCaw and first five-eighth Dan Carter were also asked for their reactions to again be playing at the ground.
"It was tough but I probably have more fond memories of playing here," Carter said.
"I've had a couple of good victories here and I'm looking forward to a new challenge."
McCaw insisted the team's arrival in Cardiff had not prompted the surviving members of that team to revisit that controversial defeat.
"We just have to focus on what we're doing here, playing Wales," he said.
However, hooker Keven Mealamu, who was named on the bench until he was a late defection through injury, admitted the memories of that fateful match still linger.
He sat helplessly in the stands as the All Blacks failed to cope with a desperate French side.
"As we were coming into Wales we were asking Shandy (manager Darren Shand) where we were staying - it's the same hotel.
"I'll probably think about it during the week but as the game gets closer we don't really want to dwell on that stuff.
"I'm pretty sure we've learned from what happened that day."
Mealamu drew a comparison with the All Blacks' latest outing - a narrow 18-16 victory over Munster in Limerick thanks to a 76th minute try by Joe Rokocoko - as proof the current squad retained the key quality of composure when placed under pressure.
"It was a similar situation last night," he said.
"The guys were up against it and those younger boys were able to pull through."
- NZPA