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

Richie McCaw and Martyn Williams are two magnificent number sevens

Richie McCaw has paid rival flanker Martyn Williams the ultimate compliment by hailing the Welshman as a standard-bearer for European open-sides.

All Black McCaw is widely acknowledged as rugby's finest open-side flanker and their rivalry will be a key battle in Saturday's Wales and New Zealand clash.

"I have a lot of respect for him as he has played a lot of Test rugby and been around for a long time," said McCaw.

"He sets the standard for loose forward play in the Northern Hemisphere."

Williams will win his 89th cap against the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and despite an illustrious long career, the veteran forward has never got the better of the great McCaw.

Williams is a double Grand Slam winner and is such a vital part of Wales' success that coach Warren Gatland plans to wrap the 34-year-old in cotton wool to ensure he plays on until the 2011 World Cup.

The Lions star, who Gatland persuaded to come out of international retirement before the 2008 Grand Slam, needed surgery to repair a shoulder injury sustained on the summer's tour to South Africa.

Richie McCaw is the best player in the world in my eyes - and has been so for the last seven or eight years Wales flanker Martyn Williams

Williams was due to miss Wales' autumn Tests but he has made a quicker than expected recovery and is set to line up against New Zealand despite playing just once for the Cardiff Blues since the third Lions Test against the world champions in July.

And All Blacks captain McCaw, the 2006 IRB International Player of the Year, understands why Wales are so keen that their magnificent seven is on the field.

"I have played against him many times and he has always been a good challenge and Saturday will be no different," McCaw said ahead of his 78th cap.

"I'm glad to see him still going strong. You have to fit in to what the team wants and he is a very good link man and a good defender - but what serves him well, is his team."

Williams, who made his Wales debut against the Barbarians way back in 1996, repaid the compliment by insisting going head-to-head with the 28-year-old Kiwi is the "biggest challenge" in rugby.

McCaw hopes to lead his New Zealand team to a 21st straight success against Wales, which would extend a winning run that dates back to 1953.

"Richie McCaw is the best player in the world in my eyes, and has been so for the last seven or eight years," said three-times Lions tourist Williams.

"He is a tough opponent and is everywhere, he has an unbelievable engine and super fit so I must raise my game to face him.

"But as a player, playing the All Blacks is the game you want to play in as you want to test yourself against the best players - like Richie McCaw.

"Beating New Zealand is a team thing and if we are to nullify someone like McCaw it has to be a collective effort because he is so good.

"But as good as he is, he still has plenty of world-class players around him to help because rugby is a team game."

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