If you're experiencing a strong sense of deja vu in the lead-up to the upcoming test against Wales, you're not alone.

To me, it's been a blueprint of pre-match routine from last year.

This similar scenario sees the Welsh, from coach Warren Gatland to their media, talking up their chances and the All Blacks camp reacting with their oh-so familiar refusal to take the bait but choose to put the emphasis on showing the "Red Dragons" total respect.

I also believe that this tale of history repeating will continue right up until the final whistle.

In other words, this year's match will replicate last year's clash where a predictably passionate Welsh performance, massively motivated by one of the most exhilarating stadium atmospheres on this planet saw them hang in there until the All Blacks exerted domination late in the game.

In fact in 2008 at Cardiff, the All Blacks were trailing 9 – 6 until they produced 20 unanswered points to pull away in the final third of the test.

So I say that this time around in 2009, the men in black will have to resist the inevitable waves of high-adrenalin attack from the locals but will eventually assert the fact that they are ranked No. 2 in the IRB rankings with the Welsh ranked six places lower at No.8.

Once again, I want your input in the picking stakes.

I have a Lone Star Cafe and Bar $150 voucher to reward the first correct "Pick the Score" entry involving this All Blacks versus Wales match.

I simply want your scoreline prediction along with the winner and the loser. The competition will close at 7pm, Saturday November 7 (NZ time).

Only one entry can win which means that in the case of more than one correct entry, the prize will go to the first to answer correctly.

As I write this blog, I'm picking up on reports that Dan Carter is looking very likely to play and his calf muscle haemotoma has all but cleared up.

I reckon this fact alone is the difference between confidently picking another win to the All Blacks but with a marked hesitancy should Stephen Donald take Carter's place.

Quite simply, an All Blacks XV with Donald there instead of Carter is a bit like a Doberman with its teeth severely blunted.

And that's much more about Carter's exquisite, exceptional skills as opposed to Donald's ordinariness.

Against the Wallabies last weekend, Carter proved beyond all doubt that he is one of the greatest All Black backs ever and distinctly ahead of Matt Giteau as the best first-five in world rugby today.

Carter's class shines so very brightly.

Here's an athlete who suffered one of the most feared of all injuries, a rupture to the archilles tendon.

But in a very short while in his comeback, without having accrued much top-line rugby to date, he has already stamped his sublime skills again as critical to his country's performances.

The man is a champion.

I look forward to receiving your entry. Good luck.