Autumn Tests - Wales v New Zealand
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Saturday, 7 November Kick-off: 1715 GMT Coverage: Exclusively live on BBC TWO Wales and online, full commentary on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and online

Shane Williams says Wales' diminutive back three is ready to be bombarded by New Zealand high kicks in Saturday's Test at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

"It's inevitable [the kicking attack is] going to come," said Williams, 32.

"[All Blacks fly-half] Dan Carter's one of the world's best kickers, I'm sure he will target that area."

The 5ft 7in Williams is partnered by 5ft 10in Leigh Halfpenny on the other wing, with 6ft James Hook playing out of position at full-back.

Regular full-back Lee Byrne is out injured along with experienced wing Mark Jones, but 65-cap Williams says he has full confidence in the ability of Hook and youngster Halfpenny.

"It's nice to see Hooky coming in at full-back," said Williams of his Ospreys team-mate, who wants to play fly-half but has spent most of the season at inside centre.

"He's one of those players who is so versatile he can play anywhere to be honest, he's one of the best in the game at it.

"I have no qualms or worries at all about Hooky coming in [at full-back] and having a good game.

"We do miss Lee playing and obviously his left foot is always an option and adds something different.

"But we all know that Hooky can shunt a ball as well... he's looked very good and comfortable at 15 in training. He'll have a great game on Saturday.

"We've worked hard with each other over the week, working on ways that we don't get targeted too much, or if we are with the high balls that we've got some support there.

Williams says there is no doubt that Carter will test him in the air

"It's inevitable it's going to come - I'm only 4ft-and-a-half and I can't do anything about that in a week!"

Williams, Wales' record try scorer with 46 scores to his name, acknowledges that the current dominance of kicking in rugby has altered the game, but has still promised to deliver his dazzling running skills.

"I like to think [the back three have] got a free licence [to attack from the Wales management]," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"The game these days is very much run by the kick and chase and we know how important that is, it's not all the pretty stuff any more.

"You end up doing most of your running chasing kicks and running back [but] we're very sharp as a back three - or back two, I'm struggling behind them at the moment.

"We know how sleight-of-foot Hooky is, it's great to have someone like that to bounce off and work off.

"Leigh has got plenty of pace, he's like one of those players who has been around for 10 years [and he has] such a work rate.

606: DEBATE How will Shane Williams fare against the All Blacks?

"If we can get the back three to work I'm sure we can cause New Zealand some damage."

Two-time British and Irish Lions tourist Williams has never beaten New Zealand - Wales' last victory against the men in black was in 1953 - but he has some fond memories of playing against them.

He scored one of Wales' four tries in the 53-37 loss to New Zealand at the 2003 World Cup, a match that showcased Williams' talent after he had been frozen out by then-Wales head coach Steve Hansen, who is now an assistant coach with New Zealand.

"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."

But the wing acknowledges that a victory over the Kiwis would fill a glaring hole in his remarkable CV.

"I've never won a game against them and there's a reason for that - they're a very good side," he said.

"We've been trying a long time now [to get a win]... It's frustrating, hard at times to come so close.

"I'd love to beat the All Blacks, of course, it's been such a long time now, 56 years.

"It's something I'd love to be able to say I've been able to do.

"It's going to be a very tough job, we know that.

"We're fed up of people saying how badly New Zealand have done in the Tri Nations. They didn't do that badly - they were just beaten overall by a very good South Africa side.

"We're not worrying about the press and the hype, we're just going to go out, give 100% and concentrate on the game."

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