For someone of Shane Williams' deadly finishing ability, one try in six Tests represents a relatively poor return.

But when the opponents in question are New Zealand, it becomes far easier to understand the Welsh wing wizard's scoring drought.

Williams crossed the All Blacks' line at the first time of asking in a Wales shirt, touching down during a 2003 World Cup epic that saw New Zealand triumph 53-37.

But the 32-year-old has drawn a blank on four subsequent occasions for Wales, and once as a British and Irish Lion.

So there are few players better placed to understand why New Zealand - especially from a Welsh perspective - are such fearsome rivals.

Williams wins his 66th cap when the well-oiled All Blacks machine rolls into the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, with a Welsh record 46 Test tries behind him.

But one senses he might trade all those scores for one priceless victory over New Zealand - a feat Wales last achieved 56 years ago through the likes of Bleddyn Williams, Ken Jones, Cliff Morgan and Clem Thomas.

"I would love to beat the All Blacks," he said.

"It is a win that has eluded us for too long, and it is a team I have never beaten. For me, this is the game of the autumn series.

"I have been looking forward to the autumn internationals. It's an exciting time, and I play my best rugby when I am excited and enjoying myself.

"When I'm grumpy, I don't play well."

Williams is among 12 survivors in the Wales starting line-up from last year's Cardiff clash against New Zealand, a game when Wales went from being level after 45 minutes to losing 29-9.

It proved another frustrating afternoon for Williams and company against the men in black, but he firmly believes such a demoralising sequence of defeats - 20 Tests - can be halted.

"We believe we are good enough to beat New Zealand, and now would be a great time to do it," Williams added.

"Over the years, teams have progressed and got closer to New Zealand and maybe started thinking they can compete and win.

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

"We have seen sides like France beat New Zealand, so why can't we - because we have beaten France?"

Despite New Zealand's average Tri-Nations campaign this year, though - one that produced three defeats and a second-place finish - Williams believes they hardly deserve some of the vehement criticism that has been fired their way.

"Everyone seems to be on the All Blacks' backs at the moment, but they are not playing that badly," he believes.

"They are one of those sides who are always under pressure back home, and if they lose a game then it is the end of the world.

"We don't pay too much attention to that, because we know they are going to come out on Saturday with all guns blazing.

"We need to play well for 80 minutes, which we haven't done for a while."

Wales will complete their preparations with a final run-out at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow morning.

Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones is among those who believe they could be celebrating on Saturday night.

"I think Wales can win," Jones told the Western Mail.

"They are still underdogs, but there is a chance.

"Wales need to get ahead early to boost their own confidence and to expose any insecurities New Zealand may have.

"Whatever happens, it will be close - with less than a score separating the teams at the final whistle.

"My hunch is that for the first time in more than 50 years, it will be Wales that take the spoils."

Teams:

Wales: J Hook (Ospreys); L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Scarlets), G Cooper (Cardiff Blues); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), M Rees (Scarlets), P James (Ospreys), A-W Jones (Ospreys), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Powell (Cardiff Blues), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (Ospreys, capt).

Replacements: H Bennett (Ospreys), Duncan Jones (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), M Roberts (Scarlets), J Davies (Scarlets), T James (Cardiff Blues).

New Zealand: M Muliaina (Waikato Chiefs); C Jane, C Smith, M Nonu, Z Guildford (all Wellington Hurricanes); D Carter (Canterbury Crusaders), B Leonard (Waikato Chiefs); W Crockett (Canterbury Crusaders), A Hore, N Tialata (both Wellington Hurricanes), B Thorn (Canterbury Crusaders), J Eaton (Wellington Hurricanes), J Kaino (Auckland Blues), R McCaw (capt), K Read (both Canterbury Crusaders).

Replacements: C Flynn, O Franks (both Canterbury Crusaders), T Donnelly, A Thomson, J Cowan (all Otago Highlanders), S Donald (Waikato Chiefs), B Smith (Otago Highlanders).

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa).

Assistant referees: Mark Lawrence (South Africa) and Stuart Terheege (England).