All Blacks coach Steve Hansen expects Wales to step up their game tomorrow but says that has nothing to do with the return of Warren Gatland.
The Wales coach will be back in the hot-seat, having missed the poor displays against Argentina and Samoa, which both ended in defeat.
However, Hansen (above) said: “We’ve heard a lot about Warren Gatland coming back but really he’s been a part of the preparation the whole way through so I don’t see that as a big game changer because he’s played a part in the preparations of the other matches.”
Hansen reckons Wales have a point to prove after the World Cup last year, when they went out in the semi‑finals.
Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards said at the time the All Blacks were “there for the taking” in the final although this week he insisted he only meant that his side would have “had a chance”.
Hansen said: “We know Wales have been thinking about this game since the semi-final of the World Cup. They’ll be really up for it and if we allow them into the game then the crowd will play a part.”
All Blacks scrum-half Piri Weepu will break the record for the most capped Test replacement if he comes on at the Millennium Stadium.
Weepu has the chance to make his 44th Test appearance off the bench, overtaking the mark set by Springbok prop Ollie Le Roux nearly a decade ago. The 29-year-old Weepu has won 67 caps overall.
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