McCaw demands end to sluggish starts 

Source: PhotosportAll Black captain Richie McCaw

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has implored his side to snap out of their poor run of test starts to nullify the deafening Welsh crowd in Sunday's rugby Test (6.15am NZT) at Millennium Stadium.

One of world rugby's premier venues will be jam-packed with 74,000 people, with Welsh players and coach Warren Gatland talking up their chances this week of ending a 56-year, 20-Test losing streak against the All Blacks.

McCaw led his side onto the impressive arena for their final preparations under the closed roof on Saturday, declared first five-eighth Dan Carter a definite starter and demanded big improvements from his players in the opening 40 minutes.

In seven of their 10 Tests in 2009 the All Blacks have trailed at halftime, including last Saturday in Tokyo when a 13-16 deficit at the break was turned into a 32-19 win over the Wallabies.

"That's been a disappointing thing that we've had to come from behind. I guess that shows the character within the team, but ideally you wouldn't have to do that," McCaw said.

"The Welsh traditionally come out with plenty of passion and there's a fair bit of feeling early on and we're going to have to meet that. If you allow the crowd to get on top that's when it becomes really difficult so you've got to sort that out early."

A year ago in Cardiff, after a tense standoff at the haka, Wales started strongly and led the All Blacks 9-6 at halftime, before second-half tries to Ma'a Nonu and Jerome Kaino sealed a 29-9 win.

McCaw rated it one of his favourite venues but admitted the cacophony of noise in the enclosed stadium could be a nightmare for visiting teams if Wales were on top.

"It's always easier when things are going well, it quietens down a bit. It's what great about playing here, it's a great atmosphere and if you do well it's pretty satisfying."

The All Blacks have beaten Wales in all five of their Tests at Millennium Stadium, by an average score of 37-13.

Carter trained with the team at their captain's run on Saturday and McCaw gave him the all-clear after a week of minimal training due to a heavily bruised calf muscle.

"He's fine. He's out there kicking and he was always going to play as far as I'm concerned," McCaw said.

McCaw sensed his side were ready to produce a top-drawer performance and admitted they were fired up by comments from Gatland and some Welsh players that they'd lost their aura of invincibility.

"I'm sure the guys have seen (the comments), it's pretty hard to get away from it. If anything it would have helped us rather than hindered us."

He said the injection of six new faces from Tokyo, including 20-year-old debutant Zac Guilford on the wing, had added some spark and the players were jumping out of their skins.

Gatland didn't front Saturday's press conference but assistant coach Rob Howley said the comments were designed to "give our players and edge and build the team up".

The All Blacks' three defeats to the Springboks had offered a blueprint on how to beat them, and forwards coach Robin McBryde said a victory would be one of Wales' proudest moments.

"It'd mean everything wouldn't it? It's very rare you get an opportunity to make history in just 80 minutes," he said.

"The players are aware of what's on offer, go out there and make a name for themselves and put an end to the poor record we've got against New Zealand."