Despite losing their last five matches, Wales flanker Sam Warburton insists the Six Nations champions can defy the odds and beat the All Blacks in Cardiff on Saturday.
Wales will be boosted by the return of head coach Warren Gatland, who is back after missing the three-Test tour to Australia and the recent matches against Argentina and Samoa through injuries to his feet.
New Zealand's former Wales coach Steve Hansen has vowed to pick his strongest side while Wales have struggled to field their best XV as several players are sidelined with injuries.
Prop Adam Jones (knee), flankers Dan Lydiate (broken ankle), Rob McCusker (ankle) and Josh Turnbull (knee), centre Jonathan Davies (groin), locks Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans (both shoulder), hookers Matthew Rees (calf) and Richard Hibbard (shoulder) plus fly-half Dan Biggar (shoulder, head and leg) are all on casualty list.
But regular skipper Warburton, who was dropped for Wales' 26-19 defeat to Samoa last weekend, believes they can turn things around and surprise the world champions.
"There's every chance we can win next Saturday - I definitely believe that," he told Walesonline
"We have got the side to do it, we have shown it in the past."
When asked if he was serious Warburton replied: "Of course, yes, definitely. You have to believe in every game you go into, but whether people think that's realistic or not is up to them.
"I have approached every game believing we can win it.
"I guess there's no pressure on us now because nobody will expect anything next Saturday.
"It's a game which I will always look forward to, playing the All Blacks at home. That's why it's sold out.
"We're going see who turns up on the day. That's sport, that's why there's underdogs and why underdogs can beat the favourites. If it was predictable nobody would watch it."
The 24-year-old urged his fellow players to remember the way they played when they reached the semi-final at last year's World Cup in New Zealand and earlier this year during their Six Nations triumph.
"Players in the side aren't going to forget the way we played back at the World Cup, in the Six Nations and in the summer," he explained.
"That doesn't just go with a flick of the fingers. It's still the same players, it's not as if it's a new squad or we've brought new guys in.
"We have to remember the way we played not too long ago and then do it again.
"It's there (the ability). We're just going through a rough patch at the moment. But I'm more than confident it will come back.
"As long as we stay positive we can pull it out of the bag. We have got to keep working hard."
Comments
masar says...
@jontheref telling me to live in the present while stating facts of the past? lol the most present would be the losses agaisnta samoa and arg, or if you take it back a bit the losse against australia.
and the game against ireland wanst "luck", more like cheating and bad refing
and warburton was the one who started talkin about the rwc, im just calling it how it really is, just a lucky draw and NO real big games/scalps won/taken.
have fun at the game
Posted 12:57 23rd November 2012
jontheref says...
masar
live in the present, Wales did win the 6N even if you think it a laughable tournament.
They did win in Ireland, luckyor not.
Yes they won by 7 v Samoa, and now they have lost by 7.
I hope they can win on Saturday, but with recent selections, and poor play, can only hope.
If the players believe it, maybe a miracle can happen.
I'll be there anyway.
Posted 14:17 22nd November 2012
saffastormer says...
Wales can beat NZ ?
ROFLMFAO, That's the bets joke I've heard this year
Posted 10:51 21st November 2012
ferdie says...
Isograford says... Actually, i think he's right. The All Blacks really aren't playing that well, . . . .The AB's have been slow starters all year.
Really? Forgetting the standard of oppositions - 5 of their 12 matches v the teams ranked 2 and 3 in the world; 11 wins and a draw from 12. Average winning score of 34-12 - I'd say that at 20+ point margin per game is not bad at all.
Qantas Wallabies have a negative average 17-21 for the year, SA 21-17.
I want to see a full strength NZ side - fed up with these '11 changes v Scotland', 14 changes v Italy, 'developing players' as if these tests are trials matches.
Posted 23:35 20th November 2012
TVaddict says...
I suppose it's possible. I guess the whole New Zealand team could simultaneously trip over their own feet several times in the match allowing for Wales to simply walk tries in. It's technically possible....
Posted 17:22 20th November 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
I wont be writing of Wales for this game! yes they have been crap too Date...But or will be forgiven if the Tip the AB's machine over. As has been stated they have nothing to loose & with most tier one teams they usually save their best performance for the AB's..because (A) they are testing themselves against the best (B) To do nothing less you would risk an absolute pasting. Look what Australia are able to achieve when everybody writes them off!. Picking this game to be a close game...as this is what the rugby world needs..AB's need to be tested & Wales are cpapble of doing that if they discover yester-years form.
Posted 06:16 20th November 2012
tweedledee49 says...
good on ya Sam, any team can beat any team on their day. Look at France vs Tonga last year. Or Samoa vs Aus. However, I dont expect a Welsh victory but I expect them to be the toughest opponents NZ will face this tour.
I hope they bounce back and give us an entertaining game of rugby this weekend!
Posted 05:02 20th November 2012
Isograford says...
I also see he's quoted elsewhere as saying if Wales win this game, they'll practically make themselves 'Immortal'. Umm...really?? One win over a side and that's all it will take?
This is the problem with Welsh rugby, they would get one win and then live off it for another half century. Beat the All Blacks consistently, and you're playing them at home most of the time so there's no excuse, and then you'll have something to crow about.
Posted 00:26 20th November 2012
sirjona says...
oh how short the memories are of some people, I have a recollection of SH bragging on a trip to Cardiff during a ceratain RWC a few years back when the "unbeatable" AB were embarrased by Les Blues. It was a joy to see the only people more arrogant than the english to be giving away their tickets for the final as they couldn`t bear to attend without their beloved team being present. I am not saying we will win on Sat I am saying we are capable of winning on Sat.
Posted 21:31 19th November 2012
swells07 says...
LOL! you are definitely hallucinating warburton. the ab's are going to run an onslaught of tries on your out of form bunch. keep wishing!
Posted 19:59 19th November 2012
Isograford says...
Actually, i think he's right. The All Blacks really aren't playing that well, and we've seen these teams that are supposedly down in the dumps and written off as having no chance getting up and grabbing unlikely wins.
The AB's have been slow starters all year. To me, without Thorn, Kaino and Sonny Bill there, this is a weaker All Black side than last year despite what some of our media seems to think.
Posted 18:48 19th November 2012
melkdave says...
Yes and pigs can fly ,theres nothing wrong with Warburton saying Wales can beat NZ ,after al its expected .There is however a big difference between saying it and doing itor even really believing it.deep down.Love the quote above
"We have the side to do it,we have shown it in the past"
Yeah the key being in the past,along time in the past tbh,Wales unfortunatly are out of form,as a team.and espically key players are not performing Warburton included. 20+ win by NZ definatly looks more likely than a welsh victory imo.
Posted 18:45 19th November 2012
jonesy2 says...
ok ok in fairness to him, he has said he believes his team can beat the all blacks. whats the point of the all blacks going up and playing if they dont believe they can beat them or compete? have the all blacks gone to another level that they arent playing the same sport as wales? perhaps haha but cmon what sort of captain would say "no i dont think we can win the ABs are evidently unbeatable and we're playing horrible rugby and will need all 30 of them to be unavailable in order to have a chance and even then the maori ABs will probably fill in for them and still smash us"?lets face it forget recent form if any of the northern hemisphere sides could upset the world champions its the welsh. i just hope both teams play their best rugby and we see a great game. but these articles are pointless much like asking the question to warburton. i love how the respect the AB's get is everest high, like no other sports team in the world. they deserve it.
Posted 17:03 19th November 2012
golden_statenba says...
I don't see why they can't?
Its whether as a collective team they believe that the person standing beside them can do his job and also believes they can win.
Thats where the Abs are very good. Nonu knows smith will take his man down so he does not need to come out of the defensive line thus creating gaps in the line.
There are so many cogs that are needed to be connected to make a great team.
Like Australia in the RC Wales have nothing to loose but a 6th game which makes these games the most dangerous for the the ABs.
And of course as a captain your not going to say "I don't think we have a chance against the All Blacks but hey we will give it a go!"
These last to games are going to be the hardest to win and I hope as an AB supporter they are close
Think Wales v ABs is going to be a very good game!!
Posted 15:44 19th November 2012
Wallaroo says...
A dream about to become a nightmare. Sleep well Mr Warburton, you're soon going to need the tablets to stop the reoccurring nightmares.
Posted 15:10 19th November 2012
masar says...
lost all respect for warburton... rwc performance? mmm lets see... lost to SA, beat samoa by just 7, beat a poor ireland team, lost to the french and to australia...
and six nations??? laughable tournament, not even taking into account that "win" against ireland
Posted 14:15 19th November 2012
daibok says...
Keep whistling Sam. You never know, they might not turn up.
Posted 12:53 19th November 2012
sextons_on_fire says...
LOL
Posted 11:58 19th November 2012
BODsGODmisspelt says...
eh no they can't. Especially with his current form
Posted 11:40 19th November 2012
Patron says...
Of course they can but it would take the Welsh Guards with live ammo. Mind you the canny Kiwis would substitute their SAS and still win.
Posted 11:32 19th November 2012