Ruddock looks for historic win

Wales coach's optimism for Saturday

Wales head coach Mike Ruddock is urging his players to rewrite the history books with a famous victory over New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium.

It is 51 years since Wales last managed to beat the All Blacks, but there is a growing anticipation that Saturday may just be their best chance to end that drought.

Captain Gareth Thomas yesterday declared Wales' time has come and Ruddock urged, "It is one mighty challenge to take on the All Blacks, particularly given our record over the last 50 years - but we have to aim high.

"We will be doing our utmost to win the game even though we start as the underdogs. My challenge to my players is to put themselves in the history books this Saturday."

Brent Cockbain starts in the second row alongside veteran Gareth Llewellyn after shaking off a shoulder injury - and the Australian-born lock is optimistic after Wales' recent improvements.

"We were only two points off the Springboks, and the last two occasions we played England were very tight games," he said.

"There is a real belief in the squad that we are going to knock off one of these big sides real soon and then do it regularly.

"It would be huge to beat the All Blacks. The history does not worry the players. This is why you play rugby - to be in front of a full stadium, playing the All Blacks with home advantage, with guys around you that you know and trust. I am really looking forward to the game.

"We have been improving every game now since the World Cup. In the Romania game last Friday, a lot of guys put their hands up for selection. There are people wanting to play for Wales, and it is a great position for Welsh rugby."

They might have lost to the All Blacks at the World Cup just over a year ago, but Wales saw in that thrilling game that the mighty All Blacks are beatable.

Then under Steve Hansen, now the All Blacks' assistant coach, Wales qualified for the quarter-finals in Australia.

Cockbain owes Hansen a great deal.

"He brought me into the Welsh squad, so he has made a difference to my career. I have that to be thankful for," he said.

"He is very skills-orientated; he likes people to pass the ball and to play with width.

"Mike is big on that too, so he has developed that as well. He probably helped give me a little more depth. Instead of just being aggressive with my work rate I could get among it, pass the ball and run and be a bit more of a complete player."

The All Blacks were nearly undone by the cavalier attitude shown by the Welsh in Australia. Wales scored four tries with some mesmerising wide passes and interplays. Cockbain sees these tactics as the perfect game-plan.

"We have got to throw the ball around a bit, try and stretch them and hope for mis-matches like we had in the World Cup, with Shane Williams against second rowers and front rowers.

"If we win the game, that is where we will win it - by having mis-matches."