By Luke Phillips
Cardiff - Richie McCaw has vowed that his New Zealand side will come out and match the passionate start expected from Wales here on Saturday.
The All Blacks have suffered slow starts in a number of their games this season and McCaw said it was one aspect they would try to rectify come the Millennium Stadium showdown.
The openside flanker also confirmed that Dan Carter would start against the Welsh, the star playmaker having overcome a calf bruised in last weekend's 32-19 victory over Australia in Tokyo.
"We know we're in for a big challenge," said McCaw, who also captained the All Blacks to their 29-9 win over Wales last autumn, a game which saw the home side come firing out of the blocks for 9-6 half-time lead.
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"It's been a disappointing thing having to come from behind but also shows that character of the team.
"The Welsh traditionally come out with plenty of passion and there's a fair bit of feeling early on.
"We're going to have to meet that, there's no doubt about that. As long as we can front up from the start, we won't be coming from behind.
"We can't afford to let them into the game."
Carter, who has amassed an amazing 92 points in his five games against Wales, was passed fit by his captain, who jokingly added that he hoped he had not been lied to by world rugby's star turn.
"He's fine. He's out there kicking, so he was always going to play as far as I was concerned. He's told me all week that he's been good," said McCaw. "He just better not be lying!"
Carter, needing just 16 points to equal Andrew Mehrtens' New Zealand Test points record tally of 967, received a heavy impact to his calf but admitted that it was better than a muscular injury.
"The fact that it was just a whack and not a strain or tear is a good thing," he said Thursday.
"Once you're out there, the adrenalin takes over and I am sure it will be fine. When I get out there I certainly won't be holding back because of a slight niggle."
McCaw added that the atmosphere in the 74,000-capacity Millennium Stadium, which will have its roof closed for the 1715 GMT kick-off, was like few others in world rugby.
"There's a great atmosphere here," he said. "It's one of my favourite places to play.
"I enjoy coming to Cardiff. There's a real rugby feel to the country and to the city and the build-up to the Test is always a good week topped off by playing in a stadium like that." - Sapa-AFP
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