Henry has jitters before big game

Graham Henry has a case of the pre-match jitters but insists it has nothing to do with the fact the man expected to take his job has now defected to enemy territory.

Saturday's long-awaited Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations battle will be Robbie Deans' first against the All Blacks in the Wallabies suit and tie.

But Henry insists the shadow of the former Crusaders mentor, with five Super rugby titles to his name, is not behind his nervous disposition on the eve of what promises to be an epic clash in the harbour city.

"I think every Test match of this magnitude, leading into it is a huge game - and once they're over the next one's a huge game," Henry said.

"It's no different, I mean we played the Springboks two weeks ago in Dunedin and that was a major Test match, and I was pretty nervous before that one and I'm nervous before this one."

"So I think all our Test matches in the Tri Nations against these particular teams are major challenges."

Henry, who coached Wales for four seasons but never against the All Blacks, understands the heightened attention surrounding the battle to be played out in the coaching box.

But the former school teacher insists Deans' involvement is of secondary concern ahead of the vital encounter.

"I mean there's obviously a wee bit more interest for you people (the media) and the public because Robbie's coaching Australia and that's created some interest and that's great for the game," he said.

"But from my point of view it's not personal, it's about trying to help this team play a top quality game of football and hopefully that's good enough to win."

But, coming off a rare home loss to the Springboks on home soil a fortnight ago, Henry knows relatively inexperienced group face a tough assignment against the resurgent Wallabies.

"We are rebuilding, half this side wasn't there last year and they haven't experienced this level of rugby and so it's hugely competitive," he said.

"We've been fortunate enough to win the last three with a side developed over a period of time and a very experienced side that played a lot of rugby together and (was) the most experienced All Blacks rugby team in the history of the game."

"And now you haven't got that experience so it's obviously a much greater challenge for this group of players."