The All Blacks and coach Graham Henry's quest for redemption following their rugby World Cup failure starts against Ireland in Wellington on Saturday, with Henry talking of extraordinary pressure to win.

A new-look All Blacks side will take the field charged with defending an unbeaten record against the Irish in their first outing since being eliminated by France in the World Cup last October.

In a country fanatical about rugby an All Blacks loss is not tolerated by the public, and Henry knows the All Blacks must make a winning start to 2008 to help dim the memories of a disappointing 2007.

"You just can't afford to lose rugby Test matches in rugby World Cups without creating a huge reaction in this country ... and that causes pressure for sure," he said.

"I guess the only way that will change is if this side plays particularly well (against Ireland) and continues to play particularly well."

The pressure on New Zealand has not been lost on the Irish, who are talking confidently of creating history by beating a side burdened with extreme public expectations.

The Irish will back up and play Australia at Melbourne's Telstra Dome on Saturday week.

"If we get our game right we have as good a chance as ever," Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll said after his side's final training run.

"We certainly have the fire power and the capabilities, it's just a matter of making sure we put in an 80 or 90 minute performance, whatever it takes.

"They're the ones that have the record and always a greater level of expectation than we have, so I would think that the pressure is back on them."

The prospect of heavy rain at match-time will bring an increased emphasis on forward play, with the experienced Irish pack including seven players from Heineken Cup champions Munster.

Their tight five boast 258 Tests between them, compared to 111 for the All Blacks.

The All Blacks will also have to deal with a return to rugby's established laws after using the Experimental Law Variations through the Super 14 series, as well as an International Rugby Board edict for referees to strictly police the grey breakdown area.

"It's funny for New Zealand to be playing the new laws last week and then coming into the old laws in a game refereed by a northern hemisphere referee," Ireland forwards coach Niall O'Donovan said.

"It doesn't make any difference to us really but from a New Zealand perspective it is strange to be chopping and changing the way they are."

Henry said it was just one more additional pressure for the All Blacks, along with limited four-day preparation and the loss of nearly half the 30 players who went to the World Cup.

"There's always pressure first game up, more than any other Test. I think the short preparation time for us has been a challenge," he said.

"It's just going to take time to bed in. How quick that happens, we'll have to wait and see."

Henry has also been a target of much criticism for returning as All Blacks coach instead of falling on his sword after losing to France in the World Cup quarter-final.

The public expectation for the All Blacks to always win "is huge and you wouldn't want to change that expectation. I think one of the strengths of the game in this country is because of the expectation," he said.

"If you don't live up to that expectation, for whatever reason, you're going to have criticism."

Teams (15-1)

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Anthony Tuitavake, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Rodney So'oialo, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Schwalger, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald.

Ireland: Robert Kearney, Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll (captain), Paddy Wallace, Tommy Bowe, Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, John Hayes, Jerry Flannery, Marcus Horan. Reserves: Girvan Dempsey, Geordan Murphy, Peter Stringer, Shane Jennings, Mick O'Driscoll, Tony Buckley, Rory Best.

Referee: Chris White (England)

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