Rugby: Shrink not the answer for Wales - Rush

Former All Black No 8 Xavier Rush. Photo / Getty Images

CARDIFF - They've summoned the psychologist, but former All Black-turned-Cardiff loose forward Xavier Rush predicts that won't be enough to rid Wales' mental anguish against his compatriots this weekend.

In his fifth season with the Cardiff Blues, Rush is well placed to deliver an assessment of his club teammates' state of mind as they chase an elusive victory over the All Blacks at Millennium Stadium. Seven of them are in the starting lineup and two more on the bench.

And he says the mental scarring of 56 years and 20 tests without a win would again prove too much for Wales, combined with the injury absence of gamebreakers Mike Phillips and Lee Byrne.

"They definitely build the All Blacks up as a bit of an unconquerable enemy in a lot of ways, and they do find it a hard mental challenge to get out there and beat them because it has been so long," Rush said.

"Over the last few years they have got a lot closer, there was the 26-25 win (in 2004) and a few other close calls. I think the confidence is improving a bit, but I wouldn't say it's right there yet to knock the All Blacks over."

Coach Warren Gatland tried to unsettle the All Blacks this week when he said they'd lost their aura of invincibility, then revealed he'd recruited a psychologist to assist his side who completed the coveted grand slam in 2008.

Andy McCann, who runs his own corporate training and consultancy company, has a martial arts background and was called into camp in case players felt the need for one-on-one time.

McCann is an advocate of "organic leadership and practical positive psychology".

Rush predicted a 12-point All Blacks win, with the proviso Daniel Carter was cleared to play.

Assistant coach Wayne Smith today gave Carter the thumbs-up to be selected, despite little physical activity since suffering heavy bruising to his calf in the 32-19 victory over Australia.

The All Blacks won't confirm their team until early tomorrow (NZT), with at least two changes from Tokyo with prop Tony Woodcock and Sitiveni Sivivatu suspended.

Rush said with the All Blacks having an indifferent year, with four test defeats, now was a royal chance for Wales to break their duck.

But they needed to be at full strength, and the loss of Lions halfback Phillips and fullback Byrne, along with prop Adam Jones, was crucial.

"They're without two of their genuine gamebreakers; Mike Phillips is a class act and Lee Byrne is so safe under the high ball and he's got a massive left boot," Rush said.

"There are other gamebreakers there but they need them all on the field and firing to beat the All Blacks."

The star of the Lions' South African tour, second five-eighth Jamie Roberts, was Wales' trump card after he consistently busted the Springboks' line.

Smith said Roberts would need to be closely watched, but would be given no special defensive attention.

The Carter-led All Blacks' backs will be keen to attack, too, after they showed promising signs in Tokyo with clever variations.

Smith said the three coaches had demanded a 30 per cent improvement in the side from last Saturday, but in the basic skills department they were already well up on their shaky June tests and Tri-Nations.

"The skill level has improved and we saw that again yesterday at training. It's starting to get back to where we want it, and that's promising.

"Some of it's combinations, and others related to the state of the game. We were pretty disappointed with the level of our skills at times in the Tri-Nations."

- NZPA