SCRUM-HALF Gareth Cooper hopes a frenzied Millennium Stadium atmosphere can help him become an unlikely hero against New Zealand.

The former Newport Gwent Dragon got the nod for last autumn’s clash with the All Blacks and will again wear the number nine jersey on Saturday.

Lions star Mike Phillips’ ankle injury and the unavailability of Sale’s Dwayne Peel has opened the door for the unfancied 30-year-old.

He beat the Scarlets’ Martin Roberts to the start and is desperate to take his chance and claim the biggest scalp in world rugby.

“It will be a huge task and everyone needs to be at 100 per cent,” said Cooper, who moved to Cardiff Blues from Gloucester in the summer.

“We certainly don’t fear them but we respect them and they still have the best players in the world. It was unbelievable last year, especially with the standoff at the Haka. The noise in the stadium was the loudest I have ever heard.

“Going in at 9-6 at half-time was a good achievement but we realise that this time we have to play for 80 minutes if we are to get a positive result.

“We need to stay calm under pressure but the atmosphere does give you a surge of energy and the crowd’s backing does lift you.

“It probably contributed to a big first-half performance last season. Hopefully the crowd will get behind us again and we will do the same, and if we can concentrate for 80 minutes we can definitely get the win as well.”

Cooper believes he has come on leaps and bounds since leaving Rodney Parade in 2007. He had gone a touch stale and believes the move revitalised his international career.

“I have probably changed for the better over the years just through having experience with different teams,” he said.

“Gloucester wanted me to play a certain way, the Blues the same and I have adapted to two different styles and become a more rounded player.

“There have been three or four scrum-halves who could have played at any time in recent years. Every one of us knows that we have got to take that chance when we get it – if you don’t then you could be out for a long time.

“I need to be at my best this Saturday and so does everybody else - if they outplay their opposite number we will do it.

“We have won two Grand Slams and beaten Australia a couple of times in recent years so we know that we are good enough, it’s just proving it against New Zealand and we haven’t been able to do that yet.”

l Morgan Stoddart has been called into the squad as a replacement for fellow Scarlet Mark Jones, who was ruled out of the campaign early this week with a knee injury.

Stoddart last played for Wales in their victory over Canada during the Invesco Perpetual Series 2008 and won his other two international caps against South Africa.