Wales v New Zealand: Jonathan Davies 'confident' Welsh can win

Jonathan Davies has won 41 caps for Wales since making his debut against Canada in June 2009

Jonathan Davies is "confident" Wales can end their 61-year wait to beat New Zealand if they hit "top form" on Saturday.

Welsh centre Davies will start alongside British and Irish Lions midfield partner Jamie Roberts after recovering from a shoulder injury.

"It's obviously going to be very tough," said Davies.

"But if we can get a performance for the full 80 minutes . . . we are confident that we can get a result."

Davies, 26, missed three of Wales' 2013 autumn Tests and the opening three matches of the 2014 Six Nations with a chest injury.

He last played for Wales in their 31-30 defeat in the second Test against South Africa in June, and is glad to be back.

Wales have not beaten the All Blacks since 1953 and Davies says he will give his all to end that losing run against the Kiwis.

"I've worked hard, I'll work hard this week and I'll try and so the best that I can for my country and hopefully get the result," said Davies.

"Ideally I could have had a bit more game time coming into it but that's how the world goes.

"We'll just concentrate on ourselves making sure that there's clarity on all fronts in attack and defence because we're up against the best team in the world."

Davies who plays for French club Clermont Auvergne, is the only change to the starting XV that lost 33-28 to Australia in Wales' opening November Test.

Scott Williams, of Scarlets, deputised against the Wallabies and also played in Wales' unconvincing win over Fiji, but is not in the match-day squad.

There is also no place for Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland, with Wales coach Warren Gatland opting for versatile Gloucester player James Hook.

Leigh Halfpenny has returned from concussion to take over from Liam Williams at full-back.

Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb also return from injuries with the latter taking over at scrum-half from Mike Phillips.

"Moving forward I think it's good for Wales that there's competition in every position," said Davies.

"It makes training that much better. Standards go up and hopefully that drives performance on Saturday up."

WALES TEAM

Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Paul James (Bath), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (unattached), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), James Hook (Gloucester), Liam Williams (Scarlets).