McCaw: Carter will play

McCaw: Backing Carter to play

He's told me all week he will be good so we will see him out there tomorrow

Richie McCaw
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Skipper Richie McCaw is confident that Dan Carter will be fit to play for New Zealand in Saturday's showdown against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

The involvement of the fly-half superstar has been in doubt all week after the 27-year-old sustained a calf muscle haematoma during the All Blacks victory over Australia.

Carter, who has scored 92 points in only five Tests at Wales' expense and needs just 16 points to surpass the all-time New Zealand Test record of 967, limped off late in the Tokyo Olympic Stadium match following his collision with Wallabies flanker George Smith.

Despite Carter only participating in light training this week, flanker McCaw is adamant his Canterbury colleague will be fit for the first Test of the All Blacks' five-match European tour, which also includes fixtures with Italy, England, France and the Barbarians.

"He's fine. He has been out there kicking and stuff," said McCaw. "He was always going to play as far as I have been concerned.

"He's told me all week he will be good so we will see him out there tomorrow."

Stephen Donald is on standby should Carter be ruled-out, but McCaw is not expecting any last-minute problems.

New Zealand boast a 20-game unbeaten run against Wales, but following last year's fixture when the All Blacks were trailing 9-6 at half-time, McCaw insists nothing is being taken for granted.

"There is general excitement about the game," he said. "It's a hell of a place to play and we are realise we are in for a big challenge.

"Wales are a good team, a few of the guys have some memories of how tough it was here last year.

"The Welsh traditionally come out with plenty of passion and there is a fair bit of feeling early on. We are going to have to meet that and front-up from the start."

Home crowd

McCaw admitted that the Welsh home crowd could present a problem, but that he was looking forward to another Cardiff clash.

"If you allow the crowd to get on top here it becomes really difficult. You need to sort that out early.

"There is always a great atmosphere in the stadium and if you do well then it is always pretty satisfying.

"This is one of my favourite places to play. You don't get to do it very often and you never know if you will get to do it again.

"So you make the most of it and you don't want to be disappointed with what you've done out there. I just love playing in these packed houses.

"I enjoy coming to Cardiff, it's got a real rugby feel. A build up to the Test match is always a good week and then it is topped off with playing in a place like the Millennium Stadium."

Despite suffering three defeats during this year's Tri-Nations and losing wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Tony Woodcock to suspension, McCaw believes his team can fulfil their potential, which could mean bad news for a Welsh team aiming to end their victory drought.

"I know the guys are ready to play," added McCaw. "But we are going to have to make sure we meet the Welsh from the start. We can't afford to let them into the game."