New Zealand coach Graham Henry believes the forthcoming British & Irish Lions tour will be the biggest rugby thing ever to hit the country.
The All Blacks face a Lions side looking for their first series win in New Zealand since 1971 when the sides square off in a three-Test tussle this summer.
"I think it’s going to be an outstanding series and this country is never going to be the same again. It will change the country," Henry told the Taranaki Daily News.
"I think we are in good shape to play them. I don’t want to be too upbeat, but I think we will play bloody well."
Concerns that the All Blacks would not be able to fit in a fixture against the newly crowned Six Nations champion Wales on the end of year tour were also alleviated.
"There will be a grand slam tour at the end of the year and we will play the Welsh again," he said.
