WALES' biggest problem against the All Blacks on Sunday will be trying to match their physicality, says outside half Ceri Sweeney - himself a brave battler whose early tackle on Italian powerhouse Andrea de Rossi put Wales in the driving seat.
Sweeney says he took a heavy knock during the game - from teammate Sonny Parker - and it took him ten minutes to recover during which he hardly knew where he was.
"The biggest difference I find is in the physicality, their strength and their power" said Sweeney, who went on as a replacement in the centre for Jamie Robinson against the All Blacks in June.
"But we have worked on that and we've made gains in that area. They are more dynamic, and I think they're dangerous from 1 through to 15.
"They have also had systems in place for so long, whereas we have only been doing it for a year."
Sweeney came up against a number of the current New Zealand team in the FIRA under-19 World Cup final at Llanelli in 1999, when Wales lost 25-0.
Aaron Mauger, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw and Flynn were all in the New Zealand side, with Sweeney, Rhys Williams and Dwayne Peel members of the Wales tam. Sweeney has got every respect for them, but says Wales could be helped by the lack of a real test for the All Blacks so far.
"No-one has really tested them, they haven't had a tough game yet," he said.
"The All Blacks will be a good build-up for our quarter-final, there has been no lack of preparation for us, it's a building thing and it'll be good to get this game under our belts before the quarter-final.
"I'm the type of player who needs to play. If I get a run I start to play better rugby. Both coaches (Hansen and Scott Johnson) say they haven't got a first team, but that they have got 30 players.
"It's down to Steve (Hansen) to pick the side, but there is no personal thing, which is good."
Today's World Cup result: Georgia 12 Uruguay 24
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