Neil Jenkins has given short shrift to the critics prepared to write off New Zealand following their Tri-Nations demise this year.

The All Blacks suffered three defeats - all against world champions South Africa - during the southern hemisphere's annual showpiece competition.

They will arrive at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday protecting a 56-year unbeaten record against Wales, a run of 20 successive Test match victories.

But many pundits believe Wales might never have a better chance than this weekend to end that demoralising sequence of results.

New Zealand are without wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Tony Woodcock after both players were suspended for foul play during last Saturday's victory over Australia in Japan.

Fly-half superstar Dan Carter, meanwhile, is by no means certain to recover in time from a calf haematoma. Carter has scored 92 points in five Tests against Wales.

Wales skills coach and kicking specialist Jenkins though, is prepared for another ferocious examination from the men in black.

And anyone who doubts New Zealand's pedigree in this fixture should think back to a year ago in Cardiff when Wales led 9-6 at half-time - then lost the second-half 23-0.

"It is a huge challenge for us," said Jenkins.

"We played some great rugby against New Zealand last year, certainly in the first-half, but it is about 80 minutes against the All Blacks.

"You can't switch off for any moment, or they will score against you.

"The Al Blacks are a fantastic side. Yes, they didn't win the Tri-Nations this year and South Africa have been the best side, but New Zealand are a great team.

"Is there ever a good time to play the All Blacks? When they are under pressure, they seem to come out the other end with a bit more about them.

"When they don't do well or win trophies, people ask questions, but they have great players."

Wales will field 12 of the side that started last season's All Blacks clash, the exceptions being full-back James Hook, prop Paul James and lock Luke Charteris.

And Hook's performance in an unfamiliar number 15 shirt could prove crucial to Welsh victory ambitions.

Hook replaces his injured Ospreys and Lions colleague Lee Byrne, but while fly-half or centre might be comfortably his more favoured positions, Jenkins has no qualms about the 24-year-old relishing a demanding new role.

"He's a great player, James - he is just a fantastic rugby player," added Jenkins.

"He just wants to play for his country, and he is happy to play anywhere in the team. He is looking forward to Saturday's challenge.

"He will have a tough afternoon with Carter's kicking game and the way New Zealand play, but we have worked our socks off in that area to bring him up to the pace of it and the understanding of that role.

"James has played a lot of rugby at 10, so he understands the space and what 10s are looking for. I am sure he will be fine.

"He can play anywhere - 10, 12, 13, on the wing. He could probably play scrum-half if we wanted him to, he's that talented.

"He has worked his socks off in training, to be fair to him.

"We try and make it as easy on him as possible, come Saturday, so he knows what to expect. He will probably have watched a lot of videos of Carter."

And while the impartial observer would like to see a points-laden try fest, Jenkins has underlined the critical importance of Wales executing a pinpoint kicking game.

"It is all about breaking defences up," he said.

"So many teams are so well-organised in defence now that sometimes the only way through is to use the kicking game.

"It is not everyone's cup of tea, but the reality is that's today's game and we have got to accept it. It is about winning the kicking battle.

"We like to play rugby, as New Zealand do as well, but if you kick loosely to New Zealand, they are going to punish you.

"When you look at South Africa, they built a very successful kicking game this year - and they won the Tri-Nations comfortably with five wins out of six."

Wales boss Warren Gatland, meanwhile, has called Scarlets full-back Morgan Stoddart into the autumn Test squad.

Stoddart, 25, replaces his fellow Scarlets back - wing Mark Jones - who will miss the entire November series because of a knee injury.

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley said: "Morgan is an intelligent attacking player who will provide cover for us across the back three.

"He is a player we know very well, and just as importantly he knows our squad environment very well. He should be able to slot into things fairly quickly."

Stoddart won the last of his three caps against Canada in Cardiff a year ago.