New Zealand line up for their Haka in a spotlight, with Wales lined up on their 10m line lit up.

Silence and almost every camera phone pointed at the action as red lights flicker on the stands.

The challenge is laid down, can Wales respond to it from the kick-off?

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Gareth Delve
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

The big challenge for the players today is to step up to that top level of international rugby, which we need with two of the best teams in the world coming here over the next two weeks.

Even though Welsh rugby has struggled and lacked ambition in the last few years, these are still the teams you want to test yourself against.

But New Zealand has always been that bridge too far for Wales and a lot of that is down to the fear factor that they bring.

This usually culminates into a 10 point lead before Wales have even woken up.

The band stop playing during Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and leave the Welsh crowd to do the rest.

It’s a special tribute to 1905 when the anthem was sung in response to the Haka, which was followed by the All Blacks losing the only game of their 35-match tour.

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It's not only a big occasion for the players and coaches in Cardiff - referee Hollie Davidson makes history when becoming the first woman to take charge of an All Blacks game.

The Scottish official, who was in charge of the last two Women's Rugby World Cup finals, is chalking up another first.

In 2022 she was in charge of an all-women team of officials for the men's Test between Italy and Portugal.

Davidson was the first female assistant in a men's Six Nations match when England took on Wales in 2024.

The Scot refereed Portugal against Hong Kong earlier this month and now notches another achievement.

She will be assisted by Italy's Andrea Piardi and Gianluca Gnecchi.

Englishman Ian Tempest is the television match official (TMO), with Italian Matteo Liperiniin is in charge of the foul play review process (FPRO).

Welsh boxing world champion Lauren Price brings her belts - and Olympic gold medal - onto the Principality Stadium pitch.

Wales certainly need to be on it from the first bell this afternoon.

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James Hook
Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

We need to try and throw some punches against New Zealand today.

Against Japan last week we were a bit blunt in attack. I think that's why we've seen a lot of changes especially in the back line.

The centres last two weeks have struggled a little bit. These changes give us an opportunity to go forward more and try and get that front foot ball. We need our best players on the ball as much as we can.

But first of all that starts up front, we need to try and get that parity and then go forward.

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Japan and Georgia kicked off another weekend of fascinating international rugby with a cracker.

The Brave Blossoms lost to Wales with the last kick last week but turned the tables to edge out the Lelos 25-23 in Tbilisi.

Arguably the most mouth-watering fixture follows this one when Ireland host world champions South Africa in Dublin (17:40 GMT).

A pair of evening fixtures follow with France hosting Australia and Italy entertaining World Cup qualifiers Chile (both 20:10 GMT).

There are two games tomorrow with Scotland rounding off a disappointing campaign against Tonga (13:40 GMT) before what could be a cracker in London.

England, fresh from beating Australia, Fiji and New Zealand, hunt a clean sweep against an Argentina side who impressed in Cardiff and Edinburgh (16:10 GMT).

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales' rugby players will attempt to follow the lead of the football team this afternoon by giving the country something to cheer.

Craig Bellamy's side earned a home World Cup play-off semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina by thrashing North Macedonia 7-1 in Cardiff on Tuesday.

Rugby captain Dewi Lake hopes that his side can also produce an uplifting performance.

"We were all down around the TV watching them play," said the hooker.

"The way they played excited the nation and that's something we've spoken about as a group.

"It's our job is to reignite the flame in supporters' bellies, for them to feel energised when they're in that stadium or at home watching us.

"That's something the football team did very well, so it's on us to repeat it this weekend."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

One bookmaker has priced Wales at 22-1 for victory this afternoon.

The only wins since the 2023 World Cup have both come against Japan but those in the home changing room believe they can cause a monumental upset in Cardiff.

"You wouldn't be a pro athlete if you didn't think that you are going to win games," said lock Dafydd Jenkins.

"I was trying to explain that to some mates who are not in the circle and they couldn't get their heads around that.

"The closer to the game you get, the more confident you get. It's a weird feeling, then you run out at Principality Stadium and feel that you are invincible."

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New Zealand may have rung the changes but they still boast plenty of talent in their 23 and there is excitement about the selection of full-back Ruben Love.

The talented Hurricanes back will make just his second international start when winning his fifth cap.

The playmaker, who aims to be a fly-half contender, is relishing the chance to get his hands on the ball in Cardiff after biding his time.

"You’re behind three future hall of famers in Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Will Jordan, so you have to be pretty patient," he said.

"There’s been times where you get frustrated just training the whole time but you’ve got so many coaches who put their arm around you and help you grow.

"As a player I’m still young, so it’s only failure if I don’t learn.

"I just want to do my best, play my part, and give a performance I can be proud of."

Image source, Huw

Wales can dream but it's unlikely that the losing streak against New Zealand will be ended this afternoon.

The All Blacks have dominated this fixture, winning 34 of 37 Tests, and there hasn't been a Welsh success since 1953.

The last meeting was in November 2022 when the Kiwis romped to a 55-23 success.

The last 10 meetings:

• Wales 25-37 New Zealand, 27 November 2010
• Wales 10-33 New Zealand, 24 November 2012
• Wales 16-34 New Zealand, 22 November 2014
• New Zealand 39-21 Wales, 11 June 2016
• New Zealand 36-22 Wales, 18 June 2016
• New Zealand 46-6 Wales, 25 June 2016
• Wales 18-33 New Zealand, 25 November 2017
• New Zealand 40-17 Wales, 1 November 2019 (World Cup)
• Wales 16-54 New Zealand, 30 October 2021
• Wales 23-55 New Zealand, 5 November 2022

Ospreys flanker Harri Deaves will be roared on by a sizeable Pontyclun contingent this afternoon when making his international debut.

Deaves was called into the squad when Jac Morgan suffered a dislocated shoulder against Argentina but he's been knocking at the door for quite some time.

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Opportunity knocks for a raft of All Blacks after head coach Scott Robertson retained just two starters from the defeat to England - captain and lock Scott Barrett and blindside flanker Simon Parker.

Only one player in the touring party, prop Tevita Mafileo, will not get any action and that is because of injury.

The likes of Jordie and Beauden Barrett, Codie Taylor, Ardie Savea and Cam Roigard sit this game out but there is still serious talent in the 23.

"The ones that have been given the opportunity have trained extremely hard and been really focused," said Robertson.

"It's great to play the whole squad and let everyone have a crack at it. There's a good sprinkling of experience and some great youth and young players coming through, so it will be a passionate display."

New Zealand: Love; Jordan, R Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Clarke; McKenzie, Ratima; T Williams, Taukei'aho, Tosi, S Barrett (capt), Holland, Parker, Kirifi, Sititi.

Replacements: Bell, Newell, Bower, Lord, Lio-Willie, Christie, Fainga'anuku, Reece.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales make six personnel changes to the side that started against Japan.

Tom Rogers is in for suspended wing Josh Adams while injuries to back-row forwards Olly Cracknell and Aaron Wainwright lead to debutant Harri Deaves and Taine Plumtree coming in.

Scarlets centre Joe Hawkins will make his first Wales start since March 2023 as he replaces Ben Thomas.

Props Rhys Carre and Keiron Assiratti return to the starting side after dropping to the replacements bench against Japan.

Dragons hooker Brodie Coghlan and Ospreys number eight Morgan Morse are in line for a Test debut from the bench.

Wales: Murray; Rees-Zammit, Llewellyn, Hawkins, Rogers; Edwards, T Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Assiratti, D Jenkins, Beard, Mann, Deaves, Plumtree.

Replacements: Coghlan, G Thomas, Griffin, F Thomas, Morse, Hardy, J Evans, Tompkins.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Welcome to the Principality Stadium, the scene of late drama when Wales beat Japan 24-23 last weekend.

Few are expecting a tense finish against the All Blacks and most of the fans that will pack out the stands will just hope for some home resistance.

Wales showed glimpses of attacking promise when beaten 52-28 by Argentina in their autumn opener but took a step back against Japan.

Head coach Steve Tandy will know his side need to up their game if they are to stay competitive against a New Zealand team smarting from defeat by England.

All the pressure is on the All Blacks after their 33-19 loss in London and they will be expected to not only win but win convincingly.

So that's the setting for today's clash, now let's take a look at the teams.