Internationals - Muliaina plays down Gatland comments

PA Sport - Tue, 03 Nov 11:17:00 2009

New Zealand full-back Mils Muliaina has shrugged off suggestions from Wales coach Warren Gatland that the All Blacks are vulnerable and that their aura of invincibility is not what it was.

Mils Muliaina - 0

New Zealand-born Gatland, who coached the Waikato provincial team that included Muliaina, made the comments when he named his Welsh team to take on his countrymen in Cardiff on Saturday.

"Regardless of what happens during the week and who says what, at the end of the day it just comes down to the game," Muliaina (pictured) told Radio Sport.

"I have known Gats for a while and I know he likes that sort of stuff. He is entitled to his opinions and the way we have gone this year as well has been disappointing for us. But with the All Blacks jersey there is an expectation to win every time you put it on, which is probably something they haven't experienced."

Wales have not won a Test against New Zealand since 1953 - a run that stretches back 20 Tests - but Muliaina is expecting a tough challenge.

"We know how tough it is to win here. If you look back to a few years ago we only won by one point," he added. "We know we are in for a big one."

PA Sport

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  1. wales by five... at half time. all blacks by 12 at­ full...

    From duane, on Fri 6 Nov 5:22PM

  2. come on nz,

    From jack, on Tue 3 Nov 5:50PM

  3. Every year we play NZ here in Wales the same old line­ comes out-"this is our best chance to beat­ them" unfortunately it wont be this year again,­ they did not have a good tri nations (A very very very­ good Boks side) but are still world class even without­ Carter or McCaw. MASSIVE game for Jamie Roberts and he­ will be the key to breaking the duck if he gets the­ ball and the support when he breaks the line. I hope­ Paul James has a good game but you dont wait 6 years to­ get your second cap, Wales have a hard series ahead and­ all games will be tough. There are a few players in­ there that this series will be make or break for them

    From freeman771, on Tue 3 Nov 3:11PM

  4. nonu vs roberts, that should be good, both very similar­ palyers, big, strong runners, with good hands. if­ roberts can carry his lions form, then nonu is in for a­ challenge.

    From samthomas85, on Tue 3 Nov 1:05PM

  5. new zealand have momentum on their side, and their team­ has had playing time together this season 56 years of­ losing to new zealand will soon change to 57 years the­ kiwis are a class act and showed it against australia,­ wales ont have the class to defeat n.z an the last 56­ years have shown that

    From derekharrison1983, on Tue 3 Nov 11:50AM
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