Wales v N Zealand: Teams

Wales head coach Warren Gatland is confident James Hook will be available for the clash with New Zealand on Saturday.

The mighty All Blacks descend on Cardiff looking to defend their remarkable unbeaten record which stretches back 55 years and 19 Tests against Wales.

New Zealand-born Wales boss Gatland has retained the side that lost 20-15 against South Africa last time, although fly-half Hook will face a late fitness check.

A decision on the Ospreys kicker will be made as late as possible as Hook continues to battle against a knee tendon injury sustained against Canada.

But he successfully came through training on Friday and Gatland said: "We are very confident he will be okay to take his place on the subs' bench.

If Hook is forced out, then his 19-year-old Ospreys colleague Dan Biggar will provide fly-half bench cover for Stephen Jones.

Wales captain Ryan Jones, who has struggled for form in recent weeks and was substituted with 30 minutes left against Canada, is quietly confident about his team's prospects.

Clinical

"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."

New Zealand head to Cardiff with their preparations hampered by a nasty injury to Corey Flynn.

Toughest Test

The All Blacks hooker was ruled out of Saturday's clash on Thursday having sustained a broken arm, so Hikawera Elliot will replace him on the bench, although All Blacks coach Graham Henry has confirmed his starting tighthead prop.

Neemia Tialata has recovered from a viral infection in time to feature, with Auckland's John Afoa on the bench.

Skipper Richie McCaw anticipates the toughest Test of New Zealand's tour so far when they tackle Wales in the capital.

With comfortable wins against Scotland and Ireland already banked, successes against Wales - and then England next Saturday - would see New Zealand hit the jackpot of another impressive grand slam trip.

But McCaw warned: "Some of the games I have played against Wales have been pretty tough.

"The 2004 Test match was an example of that. If you let them get close, it can be hell of a long day.

"It went down to the wire in 2004 - it was a classic. I think the forward battle on Saturday is going to be a step up. Some of the games against Wales have been pretty physical."

Wales: 15 L Byrne, 14 L Halfpenny, 13 T Shanklin, 12 J Roberts, 11 S Williams, 10 S Jones, 9 G Cooper; 1 G Jenkins, 2 M Rees, 3 A Jones, 4 A-W Jones, 5 I Evans, 6 R Jones (capt), 7 M Williams, 8 A Powell.
Replacements: 16 R Hibbard, 17 J Yapp, 18 L Charteris, 19 D Jones, 20 D Peel , 21 J Hook/D Biggar, 22 A Bishop.

New Zealand: 15 M Muliaina, 14 J Rokocoko, 13 R Kahui, 12 M Nonu, 11 S Sivivatu, 10 D Carter, 9 J Cowan, 1 T Woodcock, 2 K Mealamu, 3 N Tialata, 4 B Thorn, 5 A Williams, 6 J Kaino (capt), 7 R McCaw (capt), 8 R So'oialo.
Replacements: 16 H Elliot, 17 J Afoa, 18 A Boric, 19 K Read, 20 P Weepu, 21 S Donald, 22 I Toeava.