Charteris does not fear All Blacks, but Jenkins does

Welsh lock Luke Carteris is looking forward to the exciting challenge of facing the All Blacks, while assistant coach Neil Jenkins has spoken highly of the Red Dragon's incoming opponents.

The giant Dragons lock was in a similar position as All Blacks lock Isaac Ross when told he was too light to be an international lock. However he has packed on the pounds this season, and looks forward to coming up against one of his favourite teams.

Indeed, Charteris grew up idolising All Black lock Ian Jones, but while Jones too was criticised at times for not being bulky enough, he wanted to have the athleticism of the New Zealand great.

"Ian Jones was somebody I always watched and he was a quality, quality player," said Charteris.

“The generations changed and then you had Chris Jack and Ali Williams, who were probably the two best second rows in the world. Now they have a new breed again and it's an exciting challenge.”

"But Ian Jones was someone I admired and looked up to. I tried to learn a lot from him watching the games he played in."

With injury permeating through the Welsh squad, the six foot nine inches lock is keen to take his chance, but still see the All Blacks as just another team.

Albeit a more challenging one.

"I have been given this start and I have to knuckle down, work hard and hold onto it," said Charteris.

"My role in the Dragons is similar to what Wales want. That is working hard and hitting as many rucks as I can and controlling the lineout."

"Any time you play for Wales is the pinnacle. I don't think that changes because you are playing the All Blacks. I have a lot of respect for them, they are a superb team but I don’t put them any higher than any other international team."

"Every time you play for Wales, it could be your last time. You have to go out there with that attitude and I am determined to give it 100%."

While some questioned the All Blacks lineout throughout the Tri Nations, the Welsh tight forward isn’t convinced.

"They have been questioned about it because it hasn't been so strong," he said.

"But they have gone away and worked on it and you saw the evidence of that against Australia. We have a huge amount of respect for them as players and as a team, but you can not put them on a pedestal higher than Australia, Scotland and England."

Meanwhile Neil Jenkins, Wales’ skills coach and kicking specialist Jenkins, is wary of a team that Wales haven’t beaten for more than half a century.

"It is a huge challenge for us," said Jenkins speaking to PA Sport.

"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 All Blacks are a fantastic side. Yes, they didn't win the Tri-Nations this year and South Africa has been the best side, but New Zealand is 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."

Twelve of the starting Welsh XV is backing up from last year’s match, with the exceptions of James Hook, Paul James and Charteris.

While some are querying Hook, usually a number ten or twelve, as the replacement for outstanding Welsh fullback Lee Byrne; Jenkins is comfortable with his 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."

Jenkins, himself a respected player with the boot, spoke of the need for a good 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."