Kiwis anticipating huge physical battle

The All Blacks are anticipating a massive physical battle against the Pacific Islanders in the Test at the North Harbour Stadium on Saturday - particularly at the breakdown where the big Islanders forwards are sure to throw their bodies around.

The physicality of the Islanders was abundant in their inaugural Test against the Wallabies last weekend, and the All Blacks know what to expect - with flanker Marty Holah chief among the Kiwis poised to contest the battle at the breakdown.

Holah, who will have another chance to start for the 'Men in Black' in the continued absence of injured flanker Richie McCaw, believes that the Islanders will pose more of a threat in the forward exchanges than the much-vaunted England pack.

"The English were definitely into us but I think these guys are just going to try to smash us over," Holah told the New Zealand Press Association.

"I don't think it will be anything personal, I think they're just keen to have a crack at us.

"From what I saw against the Aussies, they definitely fought the rucks a lot harder, they were pretty competitive over the ball trying to steal it - that was maybe a weak point of our performance against Argentina as well.

"Our launch moves are pretty critical to us. If we don't get those clean rucks it makes it pretty tough."

Holah has played the majority of his 27 Tests off the bench behind McCaw, but in the latter's prolonged absence, Holah has an opportunity to prove his worth.

"I'm one of those players who gets confidence from playing, so when you don't play for a while you tend to lose a bit of confidence. I found that leading into the World Cup last year," he said.

Islanders coach John Boe, meanwhile, said that his team had worked hard during the week to counter the driving maul - which the Wallabies had used to good effect last weekend.

"I think the All Blacks will be better than the Australians at that aspect of play. So we have to be better there," said Boe.

"We've done some work on that and our tough Tongan forwards are looking forward to that challenge."

And captain Inoke Afeaki has promised more big hits and bone-jarring tackles than seen against the Wallabies.

"It will be a lot like State of Origin. You will see some big hitting and sore bodies afterwards."