All Blacks can’t take victory for granted: Henry

ALL BLACKS coach Graham Henry has underlined the degree of difficulty facing his Grand Slam hopefuls over the next four weeks.

Henry’s men are bidding to become the first New Zealand side since 1978 to achieve a quick-fire clean sweep of victories over Wales, Ireland, England and Scotland.

The campaign begins against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, and New Zealand will start as red-hot favourites given their achievements already this year in demolishing Sir Clive Woodward’s Lions and then winning the Tri-Nations title.

Wales, in contrast, are without six of their Lions tourists, either due to injury or personal reasons, and it will be a surprise if New Zealand do not preserve an unbeaten record against their Cardiff hosts that stretches back to 1953.

Henry though, who has announced a team containing two new caps, knows victory in all four Tests will be exceptionally difficult.

“This time last year, South Africa came here as Tri-Nations champions after having given us a right roasting in South Africa,” Henry said.

“South Africa were where we might feel we are now, but they only won two out of four games.”

Wellington prop Neemia Tialata and Taranaki flanker Chris Masoe will both make their All Blacks debuts against Wales, while star flanker Richie McCaw is among the substitutes.

But Wales will still encounter several players who helped demolish the Lions, including skipper Tana Umaga, fly-half Dan Carter, lock Chris Jack and flanker Jerry Collins.

“To develop depth you have to put new players in the arena,” Henry added.

“They will be stronger for the experience, and so will the team. We will take another big step in our development on Saturday.

“This side was selected before we left, and they have been training together for quite some time, which has given us a bit of a kick-start.

“It is a reasonable assumption that no one in the party will play in all four games. We are determined to have two people competing for every position in the build-up to, and including, the World Cup.

“It is not about devaluing the silver fern. These guys are good enough, and you cannot expect to go through a Grand Slam tour and play the same team week in, week out.”

Wales were beaten 26-25 in a thrilling clash against New Zealand last November, but since then, Mike Ruddock’s men have embarked on an eight-match unbeaten run which included them lifting the Six Nations title.

“Last year, we were fortunate to win, and having looked at the video we realised again that we were fortunate to win it,” Henry said.

“You have got to respect a side that is Six Nations champions and that has won eight Tests in a row.”

The Millennium Stadium will be packed to its 74,000 capacity on Saturday in what will prove to be a new experience for several of Henry’s less experienced performers.

But the coach added: “You can’t educate the younger players about the crowd factor. The Millennium Stadium is the best rugby stadium in the world - the crowd are in your face and are very close to the pitch.”