Jones takes the attack to the Springboks during their narrow defeat earlier this month © Getty Images

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Players/Officials Ryan Jones

Teams New Zealand | Wales

Ryan Jones believes Wales are in the right physical and mental shape to mount a major challenge against Tri-Nations champions New Zealand.

Wales last toppled the All Blacks in 1953, losing 19 successive Tests since, with more than a third of those defeats being by minimum 30-point margins. It is hardly a record that breeds optimism the RBS 6 Nations title holders might end that sequence tomorrow.

But after wasting a glorious opportunity to beat world champions South Africa two weeks ago, Wales captain Jones is quietly confident about his team's prospects. "The All Blacks are the team to beat in the world game - they are the yardstick by which everyone measures themselves," Jones said.

"But if we show composure and we are a bit more clinical than we were against South Africa, I think we will do very well. Everyone is pretty upbeat and confident. It's nice most of the boys are in one piece. It is a very competitive environment. We've got stuck into each other most days in training, and it is having a positive effect.

"People are really raising their game and stepping up to the challenge. Everyone is excited about the weekend, and they are positive and confident in themselves and each other."

Wales boss Warren Gatland has retained the side that lost 20-15 against South Africa, although considerable selection debate surrounded the back-row combination, half-backs and wings. Jones needs a big game himself, having struggled for form in recent weeks and then being substituted with 30 minutes left against Canada last Friday night.

But New Zealander Gatland backs his skipper in reflecting on a week's preparation that has pretty much gone according to plan. Gatland said: "The attitude in training on Monday, for instance, was fantastic. The boys weren't holding back, and the medical staff were fairly worried about the physicality of the session.

"To me, it shows how much the guys want it in terms of the effort they were putting in. In terms of the collisions, it was pretty intensive, which was great. For us, it is all about progressing as a team. We want to keep getting better.

"We think we've made a lot of strides in the last 12 months and we need to see if we can keep closing the gap."

Welsh success against Tri-Nations opposition is rare, especially during rugby union's professional era, with only two wins from 32 attempts against New Zealand, South Africa or Australia. As if to underline that statistic, one leading bookmaker makes Wales an 11/2 shot tomorrow, with New Zealand 10/1 on, while the All Blacks are only 8/1 to win by 31-35 points.

A decision, meanwhile, is likely later today on Ospreys fly-half James Hook, who has been battling to recover from a knee tendon injury sustained against Canada. If Hook is forced out, then his 19-year-old Ospreys colleague Dan Biggar will provide fly-half bench cover for Stephen Jones instead.

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