New Zealand v Wales: Teams

Playmaker Dan Carter is targeting improvements in defence as the All Blacks prepare to take on Wales in the first Test on Saturday.

The All Blacks go into the match, which will bring an end to 102 years of Test rugby at the famed Carisbrook ground, on the back of their 66-28 drubbing of Ireland last week.

While the hosts ran in nine tries against the under-manned Irish, who had backrower Jamie Heaslip red-carded early on, they also let in four.

Carter admits the All Blacks were not happy with the way their defence cracked towards the end of the Ireland Test and there has to be improvements this week.

He said: "We've been working on ways we can improve. We don't want that to happen again this week against what is going to be a very competitive Wales side. We realise we must improve."

Skipper Richie McCaw also wants improvements in defence, adding the All Blacks remained wary of Wales' attacking ability.

"I think (Wales) have led the way, especially amongst the home nations, with their ability to use the ball," the openside flanker said.

Limit opportunities

"That's obviously been how they've wanted to play the game. It's up to us to limit their opportunities and create our own.

"They always play with a fair bit of passion and it's always a physical challenge against them.

"I've always enjoyed the matches we've had and they've never been easy. The last couple of years they've been tight games which have been good to play in."

Saturday's match brings down the curtain on more than a century of international rugby at Carisbrook and McCaw said this has been used to motivate the team, particularly as the All Blacks have lost their past two Tests there - against South Africa in 2008 and France last year.

"Guys all realise it's probably the last time they'll get to play here," he said.

"There's a bit of significance and history that's gone on and that's been mentioned.

"But you can't make a huge deal of it. It's a game we've got to go out and perform in. But it will be pretty cool to be involved in the last game here."

Jones positive

The Welsh have never beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand but captain Ryan Jones is looking to make history.

"We're good enough physically and technically, it's about making sure we're error-free. It's facing that challenge, overcoming that and getting the monkey off our backs," he said.

Wales coach Warren Gatland believes the Irish performance last time gives his side cause for optimism.

"With Ireland scoring 28 points there's opportunities. In recent seasons the All Blacks' defence has been pretty hard to crack. They'll be disappointed that they did concede four tries," he said.

Gatland has made three changes to the Wales side that lost 31-34 to South Africa a fortnight ago, with lock Alun Wyn Jones, flanker Gavin Thomas and centre Andrew Bishop coming in.

The All Blacks have made only one change, giving flanker Victor Vito his first start after he made his debut off the bench against Ireland.

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Carter; 9 Jimmy Cowan, 1 Ben Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Anthony Boric, 6 Victor Vito, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 8 Kieran Read
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Richard Kahui

Wales: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom Prydie, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips; 1 Paul James, 2 Matthew Rees, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 7 Gavin Thomas, 8 Ryan Jones (captain)
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 John Yapp, 18 Deiniol Jones, 19 Rob McCusker, 20 Tavis Knoyle, 21 Dan Biggar, 22 Jonathan Davies