IT is one of the worst records in international rugby – Wales haven’t beaten the All Blacks since 1953, losing all 21 internationals since then.

They will have plenty of opportunity to end that hoodoo because the two age old rivals meet four times in the next two years - they are in the same group in the 2011 World Cup, they face each other twice when Wales meet them on tour next year and, of course, they go head to head in the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

One of the key figures in the Welsh team is wing wizard Shane Williams - and he, for one, believes they can make it at last, admitting that in the past they have given them too much respect. He claims the All Blacks have relied for far too long on the fear factor.

“We believe we are good enough to beat New Zealand and now would be a great time to do it,” he said. “We need to play well for 80 minutes which we haven’t done for a while.

“I don’t think they have lost their aura because they are still one of the best sides in the world, it just goes to show how well South Africa have been playing.

“There has been an aura surrounding New Zealand since I have been in the Welsh camp. The fear factor has kept them going for a long time.

“Over the years teams have progressed and got closer to New Zealand and may be started thinking they can compete and win. The first time that happened to Wales was during the 2003 World Cup.

“You give them the utmost respect, but they are beatable. They know that, but more importantly we know that now.

“I have spoken about being able to do it over a number of years, I would love to put my money where my mouth is and do that on the weekend.

“We give them respect, but sometimes we give them too much and we are frightened before we go on the field. We need to come away from that.

“We have seen sides like France beat New Zealand so why can’t we because we have beaten France. We need to stop worrying about them, it’s easier said than done but that is where we have to get.

“This is the game of the autumn series.

“I would love to beat the All Blacks, it’s a win that has eluded us for too long and it’s a team I have never beaten.

“I think we have the squad who can do it. Everyone seems to be on the All Blacks backs at the moment, but they are not playing that badly.

“They are one of those sides who are always under pressure back home and if they lose a game it’s the end of the world.

“We don’t pay much attention to that because we know they are going to come out on Saturday all guns blazing and it’s going to be tough.”

Williams believes he has got the excitement back which made him the International Board’s player-of-the-year two seasons ago, an honour which was followed by a disappointing year for Wales and the Lions.

“I’ve been really looking forward to the autumn internationals, it’s an exciting time and I play my best rugby when I’m excited and enjoying myself because when I’m grumpy I don’t play well.”