The pressure is building on Wales to deliver their first win over New Zealand in 53 years next Saturday and Thomas will demand total concentration from his side.
He said: “It’s New Zealand who are the best in the world and there is no bigger challenge for a rugby player. As a team we need to step away from what the nation are building it into.”
“We can’t let ourselves get caught up in the hype and we have to treat this week like any other test match that has gone by. This week will be a testing one and it’s all about staying away from the hype.”
“I think that the difficulty is that New Zealand bring so much to the park and have so much strength. We have to concentrate on us and see how New Zealand react to how we want to play.”
With original captain Stephen Jones struggling to shake off a knee injury and Gavin Henson withdrawing from the Canada game just prior to kick-off with a toe injury, coach Gareth Jenkins says both players must train next Monday to face New Zealand.
Jenkins said: “Gavin Henson wasn’t fit, we will have to see how his toe heals up next week. Both him and Stephen Jones will need to train on Monday if they are to play against the All Blacks.”
“It’s all about us as a group, whatever the press and public make of the game this week will only heighten the product. But for us it’s all about preparation, clarity and delivery.”
