Wales will discover on Wednesday whether or not they face another appointment with their All Blacks nemesis Dan Carter.

The mercurial New Zealand fly-half is battling to recover from a calf haematoma suffered during last weekend's victory over Australia in Tokyo.

"He is a brilliant player," acknowledged Wales fly-half Stephen Jones. "There are no two ways about it, he's a great player with terrific balance to his game."

All Blacks head coach Graham Henry is due to name his starting line-up early Wednesday evening for Saturday's Millennium Stadium clash against Wales and the Wales camp will await with interest to see if Carter makes it.

He has scored 92 points in just five appearances against Wales, with 72 of those coming during New Zealand's last four Cardiff wins in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.

That latter tally accounts for more than half the points New Zealand scored in those fixtures, suggesting an All Blacks team with him in it could lead Wales another merry dance. And Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins has given short shrift to the critics prepared to write off New Zealand following their Tri-Nations demise this year.

The All Blacks suffered three defeats - all against world champions South Africa - during the southern hemisphere's annual showpiece competition, but they last lost to Wales in 1953, reeling off a run of 20 successive wins since that December afternoon 56 years ago.

And Jenkins said: "It is a huge challenge for us. You can't switch off for any moment, or they will score against you. The All Blacks are a fantastic side.

"Yes, they didn't win the Tri-Nations this year and South Africa have been the best side, but New Zealand are a great team. Is there ever a good time to play the All Blacks?

"When they are under pressure, they seem to come out the other end with a bit more about them. When they don't do well or win trophies, people ask questions, but they have great players."