Gatland only wants believers in his Wales side

Warren Gatland says he asked his Wales players if they believed they can beat New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Wales have not beaten the All Blacks since 1953, but Gatland is only interested in a winning mentality for the game against his country of birth.

He told BBC Wales anyone who did not think they could win would not play.

"If everything goes right on the day and we put them under pressure, we've got a chance," he said.

"Earlier in the week, I asked the players 'do you really believe that we've got a chance of winning this game because if one or two of you don't, then there's no embarrassment, put your hands up and we will find someone else who does'.

"You've got to ask the question because there's no point in hiding away from that fact.

"Psychologically that's the most important thing - to go in with some confidence and self belief."

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Gatland has also told his players not to take any notice of the media fearing what they read could affect their preparation.

"There's a lot of external influences that are important this week," he said.

"I've said to the players it's important not to read the press too much.

"If anything comes out of the press about playing on the ball and self confidence, it could have a negative impact on the field in believing they have the possibility of performing.

"We have to have some self belief in terms of our game plan and believing we can put the All Blacks under pressure and compete with them physically.

"If we can do that and get some confidence and start well, it's one of the crucial elements for us.

"In a few of these big games we haven't started well, but hopefully if we can start well, after 60 or 70 minutes, we will still be in the match."

Wales have kept faith with the XV that lost to South Africa.

Gareth Cooper keeps his place at scrum-half, despite two impressive displays from the bench by Dwayne Peel against the Springboks and Canada.

New-boy Leigh Halfpenny wins his third successive cap on the wing, holding off the challenge of fit-again Mark Jones.

Stephen Jones is at fly-half, and James Hook on the bench if he passes a late fitness test on his knee injury, with Dan Biggar on stand by.

Hook, 23, limped out of Friday's 34-13 win over Canada with a tendon injury in his right knee.

Wales are also without the injured Gavin Henson, Mike Phillips, Duncan Jones, Jonathan Thomas and Huw Bennett for the remainder of the autumn series.

Wales team to face New Zealand: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt), Martyn Williams (Blues), Andy Powell (Blues).
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, John Yapp, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Dwayne Peel, James Hook/Dan Biggar, Andrew Bishop.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Joe Rokocoko, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino; Ali Williams, Brad Thorn; Tony Woodcock/Neemia Tialata/John Afoa; Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock/Neemia Tialata/John Afoa.
Replacements: Corey Flynn, TBC, Anthony Boric, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava.

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