Preview: Wales v New Zealand

"The nippy, side-stepping Mr Williams - he's a great player and I rate him among the top five wingers in the world," Rokocoko told BBC Wales Sport.

"I prefer to mark the big wingers who come straight at you.

"Shane is one of those nippy players who are all over the place. Hopefully there won't be too many gaps for him."

Sports Academy: Sidestep like Shane Williams

Rokocoko's high regard for Williams derives from last year's World Cup Pool D encounter when the Ospreys winger scored one of Wales' four tries in the 53-37 defeat to the All Blacks.

Thanks to two early Rokocoko tries, New Zealand looked on course for a comfortable victory.

But Wales, throwing caution to the wind, responded admirably and a major upset was on the cards as they led 37-33 at the start of the second half.

"We could have had that game won after the first 20 minutes, but they actually came back," said Rokocoko, who has scored 25 tries in only 21 Tests.

"Thinking about it, they could have been world champions. They could have won against us and they could have won against England in the quarter final as well.

Joe Rokocoko scores against Wales at the 2003 World Cup

"They are a great team and we're not underestimating them this weekend."

For Williams, the All Blacks game in Sydney a year ago represents a defining moment. He firmly believes his outstanding performance saved his international career.

The 27-year-old was never a regular under former coach Steve Hansen - now part of the All Blacks coaching set-up - but the diminutive winger is now one of Wales' most potent attacking threats.

"It was the most important game I have ever played for Wales because I felt if I didn't perform well that day it might be my last," said Williams.

"I was under pressure, I wanted to get back into the Welsh squad and I wasn't getting picked. I felt I had a point to prove and luckily enough on the day Wales performed."

Williams will be spared the unenviable task of marking Rokocoko on Saturday. Instead, he will be forced to contend with arguably an even greater talent.

Doug Howlett has already scored five tries in three games against Wales, and Williams is a huge fan.

"His work rate and speed is unbelievable. He's a great role model for kids who want to play in that position.

"It'll be good to play against him but I'm not going to give him too much respect on the day.

"I'm going to play my style of rugby and hopefully I can get one over on him."