Henry: Cardiff holds no fear for the ABs

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Graham Henry has fended off suggestions Cardiff's Millennium Stadium holds a psychological scar for the All Blacks.

Sunday morning's clash against Wales is the first time the All Blacks have graced the ground since last year's fateful World Cup quarter-final against France.

Members of the UK press haven't been shy to remind Henry and senior members of his All Black squad that it has been 13 months since the 20-18 loss to France at the ground.

However, Henry said that match was of no significance for the All Blacks' fortunes on Sunday.

A win over Wales will keep alive their hopes for a third successful Grand Slam campaign.

"There are no problems playing at the Millennium Stadium," Henry said.

"I have been involved here in many games at the stadium down the years.

"Some have been very positive, while others have been disappointing and that is the nature of the game."

Many predicted the loss to France would be Henry's swansong as All Black coach.

However, the NZRU reappointed him on a two-year extension last December.

When asked if he thought he would return to Cardiff as All Black head coach, Henry responded: "Maybe at the time I did not expect to be coming back to Wales as All Blacks coach.

"I was in a state of flux about what was going on."

Henry has had mixed news in terms of his squad over the past 28 hours.

While prop Tony Woodcock was cleared to play Wales after having to front an IRB judiciary, he has lost the services of back-up hooker Corey Flynn.

Flynn was confirmed with a fractured left arm on Friday morning, forcing his return to New Zealand.

The uncapped Hikawera Elliot has taken his place on the bench.

"I am expecting the kitchen sink from Wales," Henry said.

"They are a proven side, and we are expecting a tough contest.

"They are Six Nations champions this year, and that is a fine achievement.

"Wales have got good players across the pitch, that's why they won the Six Nations. They play with a wonderful attitude.

"Their forwards are good ball players, and they also defend well. They are a complete package, really."

Wales have not beaten the All Blacks since 1953.

Welsh coach Warren Gatland and his playing staff are confident they can end that losing streak, saying the key to beating the All Blacks was to start strongly and have the mental belief that they could win when they ran onto the field.

It will be the first time Henry and Gatland have done battle in a head coaching sense since their past stints coaching Wales and Ireland respectively.

"I don't think Warren could have done much better," Henry said.

"Winning the Six Nations was a pretty fine achievement."

Meanwhile, former All Black No 8 Zinzan Brooke has warned that Wales will offer the strongest challenge to the All Blacks in their quest for the Grand Slam.

Brooke said Wales had to ensure they were within a "few points" of the All Blacks at halftime to have any chance of winning, something he said they were capable of doing.

However, he still backed the All Blacks to be unbeaten on tour come full-time at Millennium Stadium.

"They are Six Nations champions, they have got the wind in their sails, a good coach, and have an air of confidence about them," Brooke wrote in his BBC column.

"They were unlucky to lose to South Africa two weeks ago, and probably should have won the game. They have got to be right on their game and need to be a bit more clinical, but they have a chance.

"We know the Welsh can play that open, running rugby, but they need to play themselves into the game first and make sure they have a bit of structure early on.

"If you are playing catch-up, then you have to play like that, but it all depends on what stage the game is at.

"The All Blacks have got the intensity to match it, and we know they can kick on later in the game. We don't know yet whether Wales can do that against one of the top sides.

"It will come down to whether Wales really believe they can win the game, or whether they are there to make up the numbers."