All Blacks can be stopped - Thomas

Wales captain Gareth Thomas warned Ireland it will take one of the great performances to derail New Zealand’s march to a Grand Slam – but he insists it can be done.

The injury-hit Welsh were subjected to a 41-3 thrashing at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday – their worst ever defeat in Cardiff – as the rampant All Blacks ran in five tries.

New Zealand boss Graham Henry insists the tour is about the development of a side capable of winning the World Cup in 2007, though on Saturday’s performance world domination seems only three weeks away.

The All Blacks have already beaten the Lions 3-0 and won the Tri-Nations and a home nations Grand Slam would cap one of the most remarkable years in rugby history.

But Thomas refuses to believe Henry’s All Blacks are unbeatable and insisted: “No team is invincible.

“They are an absolutely superb team and are probably playing the best rugby in the world at the moment – but I am sure Ireland, England and Scotland, when they put on their national jerseys, believe that they can win.

“It is going to take a mighty team to defeat them but I believe any team is beatable.”

Wales were missing six of their Lions and Ireland are similarly depleted, with captain Brian O'Driscoll still recovering from the dislocated shoulder he suffered 41 seconds into the first Lions Test.

Up to six other squad regulars are also either definitely out or major doubts, including Lions Denis Hickie and Simon Easterby.

New Zealand are likely to ring the changes too, but by choice rather than circumstance and so great is their depth that it will do little to weaken the threat.

After all, Henry included two debutants in the side that mauled Wales, while influential flanker Richie McCaw started on the bench and try-machines Sitiveni Sivivatu and Doug Howlett were not required for duty.

Instead winger Rico Gear stepped up to score a hat-trick while fly-half Daniel Carter turned in another imperious display with two tries of his own and perfect kicking display to finish with a record haul of 26 points.

Carter erased Fergie McCormick’s 36-year-ol record when converting his second try to seal that 26-point haul.

And McCormick said: “There is no-one better than Daniel Carter. Let’s be honest, he’s a superstar – he does everything. He’s just a natural footballer, he’s got the X-factor.”