Peter Bills: Hit them hard and don't ease off

COMMENT

Kill off the Welsh challenge in the first 30 minutes but keep your concentration in case they bite back.

That's the nuts and bolts of the pre-match planning advice the South Africans have handed the All Blacks as they prepare for tomorrow's test in Cardiff.

South African wing Breyton Paulse believes that the new-look NZ side will have just that little bit extra to make the difference at the Millennium Stadium.

But just a fortnight after the Springboks squeezed out a narrow 38-36 win on the ground, Paulse warns the All Blacks that Wales are perfectly capable of exploiting any lapses in concentration.

With several different faces in the New Zealand side, it's advice that may come in useful.

Paulse said: "We led Wales 23-6 after about half an hour and had complete control of the match in our hands. But we went off the boil, lost concentration and let them back into it.

"And anyone who plays Wales should know that they are very capable of taking advantage of anyone who underestimates them.

"They can definitely play a close or wide game depending on the circumstances.

"They were impressive against us in spells and came out steaming.

"They are a really tough team to play at home and they are definitely more psyched up and ready when they play at the Millennium Stadium.

"We played them in Pretoria in June and ran up 50 points to win comfortably, but we weren't able to do that to them two weeks ago.

"Wales are a young side and they're rebuilding. But when they get the encouragement of a score or two, you can see their confidence levels rising.

"They can definitely keep the ball through several phases and don't mind switching their tactics to get the ball wide, or keep it closer among the forwards. When they do the latter, their pick-and-go tactics work well for them."

Paulse appreciated the passion generated by a major test match at the 73,000 capacity Millennium Stadium, even though only 55,000 saw the match with the Springboks.

The Springbok, who will face England at Twickenham this weekend, suspects the All Blacks will have a little too much class for the Welsh. And perhaps pace, too.

"New Zealand should have the upper hand. I know they have a comparatively new-look side but anyone who gets as far as an All Black team is a very good player.

"The names may be unfamiliar to some of us but the class won't be.

"I believe where New Zealand may win it is in their striking power out wide. In a back three of Joe Rokocoko, Doug Howlett and Mils Muliaina, they have serious pace and are a real threat.

"Players like that are game breakers and the overall pace of them and the rest of the New Zealand team may just be too much for Wales.

"If it's a dry day in Cardiff that will definitely suit New Zealand."

South Africa emphasised the vulnerability of the Welsh defence to rapid attacks, even from deep, based on pace and penetration.

"If the All Blacks' back three can cut the right angles and find open space, then they have the gas to cause major damage to the Welsh defence."

* Peter Bills is a rugby writer for Independent News & Media in London