As if the All Blacks had not done enough to underline the difference between northern and southern hemisphere rugby by thrashing Ireland last weekend, word came from the New Zealand camp today that they might put out an even stronger side against Wales on Saturday.
The New Zealand medical team still have to give the OK but it seems Mils Muliaina and Richard Kahui will be ready to face Wales. That would give the All Blacks head coach, Graham Henry, virtually a full squad from which to choose.
Muliaina (calf) and Kahui (chest) are back after playing club rugby. Muliaina, the veteran full-back, is particularly keen to play at Carisbrook in Dunedin on Saturday, having noted the impressive performance put in by his replacement, Israel Dagg, against the Irish. Benson Stanley also had a solid game in midfield at New Plymouth but it is understood Henry is keen to see Kahui at inside centre.
In case anyone from the Welsh camp missed Saturday's 66-28 result the Irish captain, Brian O'Driscoll, today offered a bit of advice about coping with the All Blacks. Ireland failed to slow New Zealand's ruck ball or get off to a quick start – two things O'Driscoll said would be imperative for Wales.
Wales's head coach, Warren Gatland, said that without faith in themselves Wales would face a fate similar to that of Ireland. The former Waikato coach then pointed out that it is not unknown for unfancied northern hemisphere sides to do well in New Zealand.
"It wasn't until I left New Zealand that it dawned on me how difficult it is for any touring side to come here and give a performance and get a result," said Gatland, before reminding his hosts that France won in Dunedin last year.
"Perhaps the only country that's been able to do that – and they did that recently – and come with that air of confidence is France. You've got to come here and back yourself and have that belief and confidence that you can come down here and perform.
"I keep looking back last year at what France did. They came down with a very weakened team and they would have been written off before that game was played. They won that first Test and probably should have won the second as well, and they went away with the Dave Gallaher Trophy. You've got to keep looking at those occasions and hopefully the same may apply and happen to us."
If it does, it will be the first time in 57 years that Wales have beaten the All Blacks. The last time they toured New Zealand – in 2003 – they suffered a record 55-3 defeat in Hamilton, where the second Test will be played this month.
Ireland, who face a tough fixture against the New Zealand Maori in Rotorua on Friday, have flown their Under-20 captain, Rhys Ruddock, in from Argentina, where he has been involved in the junior world championship. Ruddock will cover the back row after Jamie Heaslip's five-week ban and an injury to John Muldoon.
