New Zealand coach Graham Henry and his Wales counterpart Warren Gatland meet during the All Blacks' Captain's Run at the Millennium Stadium on Friday © Getty Images

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Teams: New Zealand

Joe Rokocoko looked towards the heavens and the roof blocking out the last rays of sun.

Richie McCaw tried a left footed dropped goal -- probably without realising the irony of his kick -- as 10 All Blacks returned briefly to the scene of their rugby World Cup heartache today. The All Blacks completed their preparations for tomorrow's Test against Wales with a light captain's run on Millennium Stadium. They did not linger long.

Eight of the starting line-up that take on the Six Nations champions also ran on against France on October 7, 2007 -- forever a dark day in the history of New Zealand rugby. Mils Muliaina, Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Dan Carter were among the backline for the World Cup quarterfinal; Rodney So'oialo, McCaw, Ali Williams and Tony Woodcock started in a pack that never quite got to grips with their French adversaries.

The All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu sat helplessly in the stands with an injury 13 months ago while Isaia Toeava is again on the bench. It was also an emotional return to the home of Wales' rugby for the All Blacks' coaches -- Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen congregated on the 10-metre line with McCaw as they returned to familiar, and for some, uncomfortable surroundings.

Once the training session got under way Carter, who was replaced during the second half of the Cup quarterfinal, practised his punting, though it was a booming dropped goal by McCaw that was possibly the most significant kick. The All Blacks needed to pot one in the dying minutes against the French to wipe out a two-point deficit, but although the team rumbled into field position in front of the posts, an attempt was never made until an off-balance Luke McAlister made a forlorn connection as New Zealand were backtracking.

McCaw, who was criticised for not calling for a dropped goal when his team were better positioned, took it upon himself today -- the light hearted attempt grazing an upright and deflecting wide. Henry had a relaxed demeanour, chatting with members of the Wales Rugby Union hierarchy, familiar from his days as their head coach between 1998 and 2002.

While Rokocoko looked reflective as he walked on to the pitch in his jandals, the players not involved in the quarterfinal seemed more animated as they kicked a soccer ball around.

Meanwhile, Carter insisted he did not feel haunted by what unfolded in October last year before a disbelieving crowd. "Being back in Cardiff doesn't bring back sore memories or anything like that," he said. "Obviously, it was tough last year, but I have some very fond memories of the stadium. It's good to be back. It was tough at the time but the people in New Zealand were supportive."

Wales held their light run before the All Blacks and their New Zealand coach Warren Gatland recalled his memories of watching the quarterfinal on television. "It was deja vu for me," he said.

"It was surprising a team that had so much territory and dominance went and played a game plan I hadn't seen them play. I couldn't understand what they were trying to do. I watched them self-destruct basically."

Gatland, despite 17 games for the All Blacks, is pinning his hopes on a repeat performance tomorrow.