Slam tougher challenge than Lions - Thomas

Wales captain Gareth Thomas thinks New Zealand will find completing a grand slam this month a tougher challenge than their series victory over the British and Irish Lions earlier this year.

Thomas, who also skippered the Lions, will lead the Six Nations champions out against Tri-nations title-holding All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow, after which the tourists play Ireland, England and Scotland in successive weekends.

The fullback, nicknamed Alfie, said the 3-0 Lions defeat had not scarred him and that Wales might be in a better position to challenge the All Blacks, who are ranked number one in the world.

"I don't think we fear any opponent, I think we respect opponents and I think New Zealand have the respect of every rugby player in the world and rightly so," he said.

"You can't compare the Lions against New Zealand with captaining your country against New Zealand. They're just two completely different things.

"The Lions is a different concept and, although we haven't had perfect preparations, we've have preparations over the last 18 months with pretty much the same players whereas with the Lions it was a brand new team playing against the All Blacks in their own back yard."

"So I think come Saturday we'll be better prepared as a team than we were as a Lions squad going out to New Zealand."

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has left first choice openside flanker Richie McCaw on the bench for the Wales match and will be handing Chris Masoe his first cap in his place.