New Zealand captain Richie McCaw expects Dan Carter to be alongside him when the All Blacks run out against Wales on Saturday.

Carter's involvement at the Millennium Stadium has been uncertain all week.

The fly-half superstar, who has scored 92 points in just five Tests at Wales' expense and needs only 16 points to overtake Andrew Mehrtens' all-time New Zealand Test record of 967, suffered a calf muscle haematoma last weekend.

Carter limped off late in the victory over Australia at Tokyo's Olympic Stadium after colliding with Wallabies flanker George Smith.

He has taken part in only light training this week, including at Friday's final session under the stadium's closed roof, but McCaw has no fears about his Canterbury colleague.

"He's fine," said McCaw. "He has been out there kicking and stuff. He was always going to play as far as I have been concerned.

"He's told me all week he will be good so we will see him out there."

Stephen Donald has been on standby but McCaw does not expect any last-minute hitches.

New Zealand, despite boasting a 20-game unbeaten record against Wales, are taking nothing for granted in the first Test of their five-match European tour which also features appointments with Italy, England, France and the Barbarians.

The All Blacks trailed 9-6 at half-time in last year's fixture and McCaw anticipates another fierce Welsh approach.

"There is general excitement about the game," he added. "It's a hell of a place to play and we are realise we are in for a big challenge.

"Wales are a good team, a few of the guys have some memories of how tough it was here last year.

"The Welsh traditionally come out with plenty of passion and there is a fair bit of feeling early on. We are going to have to meet that and front-up from the start.

"If you allow the crowd to get on top here it becomes really difficult. You need to sort that out early.

"There is always a great atmosphere in the stadium and if you do well then it is always pretty satisfying.

"This is one of my favourite places to play. You don't get to do it very often and you never know if you will get to do it again.

"So you make the most of it and you don't want to be disappointed with what you've done out there. I just love playing in these packed houses.

"I enjoy coming to Cardiff, it's got a real rugby feel. A build up to the Test match is always a good week and then it is topped off with playing in a place like the Millennium Stadium."

Although New Zealand suffered three defeats during this year's Tri-Nations and have lost wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Tony Woodcock through suspension, McCaw senses his team is ready to find top gear.

And that could be bad news for a Welsh side anxious to end their victory drought and claim arguably world rugby's most coveted scalp.

"I know the guys are ready to play," McCaw said. "I am pretty confident the guys are in good nick.

"But we are going to have to make sure we meet the Welsh from the start. We can't afford to let them into the game."

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).