Preview: Wales v New Zealand
Wales are hopefully heading for a crescendo when they host "red-letter" World Cup champions New Zealand on Saturday, according to the Welsh team's defence coach Shaun Edwards.
"It is always a red-letter day when the All Blacks come to town," said Edwards, a Great Britain Rugby League legend.
"And also the fact they are the current World Cup champions as well as the world's top-ranked team makes it a little more special. Whenever a team are ranked No.1 for that period [five years] it is a special fixture when they come to your home ground.
"With it being the All Blacks, it is that bit extra special as well."
After two punishing fitness-focused weeks in camp ahead of the 28-33 defeat against Australia, an experimental Wales scraped past Fiji 17-13, but Edwards said normality had returned.
"We've gone back to our standard week. We are pretty happy with our fitness levels," he said.
"They have worked very hard over the last couple of weeks, and we've eased off this week. We have gone back to our normal training sessions, where obviously rugby is a priority.
"We've had more chance to put a lot more detail in this week.
"We are quietly building to, hopefully, a crescendo on Saturday.
"Everyone is buoyant and in a good mood, and looking forward to what is the ultimate challenge."
Edwards, while stressing the need for a strong first-up defence, said victory over the All Blacks would come through ball retention.
"We have to attempt to keep the ball against them. There are a lot of tries being scored in world rugby at the moment," he said.
"If you look at the Rugby Championship games that were played in dry conditions, there were a lot of tries scored, two or three tries being conceded by most teams around the world because the attacks are so good.
"There is a real emphasis by the referees to make the tackler roll away, and that leads to more attacking play. You are able to keep the ball for longer, more sustained periods.
"Everyone is conceding points at the moment. It's there for all to see."
Rhys Webb, who has taken over from Mike Phillips at scrumhalf, insists Wales have a great chance to notch up a victory over New Zealand for the first time since 1953, with the All Blacks having won 26 of the 29 matches ever played between the two sides.
"They are a world-class team, top of the rankings at the moment, but I think they are to be taken as well," said the Ospreys livewire.
"Australia nearly pipped them [in the Rugby Championship], Scotland put a real tough performance against them. They've been getting a bit flustered when people have been going at them.
"You have got to be physical with them. If we can play our game plan and not take a backward step and really get into them, I think we can put on a good show."
Players to watch:
For Wales: You will look to see if Leigh Halfpenny can unleash his attacking flair, Jamie Roberts' powerful midfield bursts are always good value, while Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb are other key backs. Taulupe Faletau is powerful, but perhaps not always graceful. Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate will be key at the breakdown.
For New Zealand: Ben Smith, back at fullback, is so graceful with ball in hand - not to mention how dangerous he can be. Conrad Smith and Sonny Bill Williams in midfield for the first time in years will be worth the entry fee. But mostly you will want to see if the Kiwi pundits who believe Beauden Barrett has overtaken Dan Carter and Aaron Cruden in the flyhalf race are correct. Up front there are the usual suspects - Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Samuel Whitelock and Brodie Retallick.
Head to head: There are many battles throughout the two teams, but probably the most interesting will be the battle of the openside flanks - Sam Warburton (Wales) against Richie McCaw (New Zealand), who are both ell skilled in the dark art of pushing the envelope. Another intriguing battle will be the midfield showdown between Jamie Roberts (Wales) and Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand).
Recent results:
2012: New Zealand won 33-10, Cardiff
2010: New Zealand won 37-25, Cardiff
2010: New Zealand won 29-10, Hamilton
2010: New Zealand won 42-9, Dunedin
2009: New Zealand won 19-12, Cardiff
2008: New Zealand won 29-9, Cardiff
2006: New Zealand won 45-10, Cardiff
2005: New Zealand won 41-3, Cardiff
2004: New Zealand won 26-25, Cardiff
2003: New Zealand won 53-37, Sydney (World Cup pool match)
Prediction: Wales enjoy talking themselves up and are always competitive against Southern Hemisphere sides. Occasionally they even win. However, it is difficult to see the Welsh winning this one, unless of course the All Blacks are not on top of their game. New Zealand to move clear in the final quarter and win by 10 to 15 points.
Teams:
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 James Hook, 23 Liam Williams.
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Charles Piutau, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Liam Messam, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Ryan Crotty.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17.30 (17.30 GMT, Sunday, November 23 06.30 NZ time)
Expected weather: The rain will gradually become patchier as it clears to the east, and most parts will become dry by the afternoon. However, with a closed roof and the new artificial pitch, this will matter little. High of 13°C and a low of 9°C
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
AFP & @rugby365com