Wales launch their Autumn Nations Series campaign on Saturday as they aim to claim their first victory over New Zealand since 1953.
The All Blacks have claimed 31 straight wins against Wales, including 16 in Cardiff.
However, spirits are high in the Wales camp ahead of the clash.
Wales ready to ‘compete against the best’
Jonathan Davies says that Wales are “relishing the excitement of the challenge” as they prepare to tackle New Zealand in Cardiff.
“Everyone talks about the record of the last 50 or 60 years against New Zealand,” Wales centre Davies said at the Autumn Nations Series official media launch.
“But it is a great way for us to start our autumn series. I think it is the excitement of the challenge. It’s a tough task, but I think the boys are focused and we’ve had two good weeks of preparation.
“We are focused on getting a performance and accuracy on the pitch to hopefully gain a good result, which would be a great way to start this autumn.”
Team news for Wales vs New Zealand
With the game falling outside World Rugby’s autumn international window, the reigning Six Nations champions will be without England-based players like Dan Biggar, Taulupe Faletau and Louis Rees-Zammit because they are not released by their clubs.
And a number of key personnel are absent through injuries, with British and Irish Lions stars such as George North, Josh Navidi and Justin Tipuric all currently sidelined.
Liam Wiliams also looks set to miss out on the clash.
Wales attack coach Stephen Jones said: “Liam is back training, which is great. He has not had many sessions this season, so we are trying to improve him with every session.
“He is working very hard because he wants to play and he wants to prove that. But we, as coaches and fitness coaches, understand where he is.
“It is important that we remember that we’ve got more games in November, so we have to be clever with how we use Liam.
“In fairness, we are fully aware that it would be a big ask of Liam (to be fit for New Zealand), but he is doing everything he can to be available. He is ticking every box, but you do need some volume in the legs as well.”
How to watch Wales vs New Zealand
The only way to watch Wales vs New Zealand live this year is with Amazon Prime Video.
The streaming service secured a new deal to exclusively broadcast Wales’ autumn games.
All teams, except for Ireland who will be broadcast on Channel 4, will have their games shown behind the paywall.
Amazon Prime costs £7.99 per month.
Usually, Wales’ games would also be shown live on S4C, however, with Amazon offering a Welsh language service, there will be no live coverage on the free-to-air channel.
Highlights of all Wales matches will be shown on the evening of the test, with the New Zealand highlights starting at 8.30pm on Saturday.
Wales’ Autumn Nations Series fixtures
- Wales v New Zealand, Principality Stadium, October 30, 5.15pm kick off, Amazon Prime Video
- Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, November 6, 5.30pm kick off, Amazon Prime Video
- Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium, November 14, 3.15pm kick off, Amazon Prime Video
- Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium, November 20, 5.30pm kick off, Amazon Prime Video
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