I don't know if you've heard but there's this little rumour doing the rounds that Wales have not beaten New Zealand since 1953.

Apparently the All Blacks have won their past 31 matches against Wales? Huge if true.

That run of results has got to broken one day, says Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones, so why not today?

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Even with all the disruption in the Wales camp before this match, one crucial factor remains constant. That is captain Alun Wyn Jones.

Jones admits "the odds are stacked against us" but at 36 he is still standing, as the lock prepares to play his 149th international for Wales, surpassing the previous record for one country set by New Zealand legend Richie McCaw.

As he starts yet another campaign with Wales, Jones knows the magnitude of facing a New Zealand side who won the Rugby Championship and scored more than 100 points against the United States last weekend.

"We're aware of the run they've had, but we've been fortunate to have two weeks together to do as much as we can," said Jones.

"It's always an ask in the autumn and a difficult time of year for the international calendar because it's the first one out, but we've done all we can and the squad has enjoyed it.”

You can read more of that interview with Jones here.

Wayne Pivac is the fourth New Zealander to coach Wales and today is his first chance to lead his team against the country of his birth.

Pivac is the third Kiwi to coach Wales against the All Blacks, following his predecessor Warren Gatland and Steve Hansen.

"It goes deeper than just being any other game, even at the time. You may not want to admit it to yourself, but it does," says Hansen.

"Wayne will be desperate to win because it's like playing your big brother. You always want to beat him."

There's more from Hansen's interview with BBC Sport Wales here.

Image source, Getty Images

This game is a big moment for Wayne Pivac, but there's no question of any split loyalties.

"I’ve been here [Wales] seven years now and honestly it feels like home," he says.

"I’ve not seen my family for two years now, and I know they’ll be supporting and watching. There are a lot of our friends and family and others around the globe who are supporting Wales now."

This match is officially a sell-out but you might see a few empty seats around the Principality Stadium.

That's because some rugby clubs, who get an allocation of tickets to sell on to their members, have been struggling to sell theirs.

Hopefully the clubs have managed to shift their remaining tickets over the past few hours and the stadium will be packed to the rafters.

Two of the previous three New Zealanders to coach Wales have gone on to take charge of the All Blacks.

Graham Henry and Steve Hansen both won the World Cup with New Zealand after stints with Wales, while Warren Gatland has been touted as a future All Blacks boss.

What about the man at the helm now? Ian Foster has been to Cardiff as an assistant coach in the past, and it sounds like he's looking forward to his first taste of a Principality Stadium matchday as the number one.

We've just mentioned the 92-0 thrashing that New Zealand's Under-20s dished out to their Welsh counterparts in 2011.

Well, a year later Wales got their revenge with a 9-6 win at the 2012 Junior World Championship, the Baby Blacks' first defeat for four years.

The only player from Wales' team that day nine years ago who is in the matchday squad today is hooker Kirby Myhill.

The Cardiff player was called on to the bench after Ryan Elias was promoted to the starting line-up following Ken Owens' back injury.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Image source, Getty Images

Ten years ago, today's Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe lined up in the same position for New Zealand U20 against Wales U20 in the 2011 Junior World Cup.

That side was coached by his father Mark and contained today's All Blacks scrum-half TJ Perenara and fly-half Beauden Barrett - although Barrett was playing full-back that day.

Anscombe moved to Wales after that, who he qualifies for through his Cardiff-born mother Tracy.

Wales' sole survivor today from that U20 side is hooker Kirby Myhill, who is named on the bench by Wayne Pivac.

By the way, New Zealand U20 won 92-0, scoring 14 tries - hopefully not an omen for today!

The Baby Blacks went on to win the tournament, beating England in the final in Padova, Italy.

Image source, S4C

Image source, S4C

The sights of a match day in Cardiff city centre.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

It wouldn't be a match at the Principality Stadium without mention of the roof.

It will be open for today's game, as it will be throughout the autumn due to Covid-19 considerations.

There. Done. No more roof chat now.

Image source, Getty Images

Beauden Barrett will make his 100th appearance for the All Blacks today.

The 30-year-old fly-half will be making his eighth appearance against Wales and will become the All Blacks' 11th centurion.

Barrett's brother Jordie is at full-back in a much-changed line-up from the side that hammered the United States 104-14 last weekend.

Lock Brodie Retallick is back for his 90th cap to partner Sam Whitelock, who leads the visitors at Principality Stadium.

Props Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala join hooker Codie Taylor in also returning to the starting side.

Here's the New Zealand team in full:

New Zealand: Jordie Barrett; Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock (capt), Ethan Blackadder, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea.

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa'i, Akira Ioane, Brad Weber, Richie Mo'unga, Sevu Reece.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales are severely depleted for this game but one bit of good news is the fact that fly-half Gareth Anscombe is back to make his first international start since 2019.

Anscombe was out for two years with a knee injury but has returned to action with Ospreys this season and gets the nod to face New Zealand, the country of his birth.

There is also a first start for 21-year-old flanker Taine Basham in an all-Dragons back row alongside Ross Moriarty and Aaron Wainwright.

Hooker Ken Owens was initially named in the team but a back problem means he is replaced by Ryan Elias.

Kirby Myhill, called into the squad as injury cover for Elliot Dee, takes Elias' place on the bench.

Here’s the Wales team in full.

Wales: Johnny McNicholl; Owen Lane, Jonathan Davies, Johnny Williams, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Ross Moriarty, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Rhys Carre, Dillon Lewis, Will Rowlands, Seb Davies, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Ben Thomas.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Prynhawn da a chroeso! Hello and welcome to the Principality Stadium, where Wales face the mighty New Zealand in their opening match of the autumn series.

The All Blacks are always a huge attraction and, with this match a sell-out, the atmosphere in Cardiff has been bubbling nicely all day.

In case you didn’t know, Wales haven’t beaten New Zealand since 1953. You’re going to hear and read that a lot today.

And just to add to Wales’ daunting task, they’re missing 20 players due to injuries and various other reasons. It doesn’t get much tougher than this.

But we all know those cliches about the unpredictability of sport, don’t we? Well, this is the time to use them. Who knows what will happen? Whatever does happen, we’ll have you covered.