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Returning Wales coach Warren Gatland faces a deflated nation reeling from shock back-to-back defeats by Argentina and Samoa and seeking positivity agianst New Zealand.
Wales came into this series looking to break into the world's top four, but are now in danger of failing to hang on to the eighth place they have slipped to - and even falling further, which would mean a disastrous draw for the 2015 World Cup.
The late injury withdrawal of the dangerous George North is a blow, but the hosts still have enough stardust. They won't lack for motivation either, with the second Six Nations title and Grand Slam under canny man manager Gatland - a Kiwi himself, let's not forget - is still rattling around in the memory somewhere. And no doubt when he talked to his players this week Gatland will have reminded them just how close they were to reaching the World Cup final in 2011.
In fact, assistant coach Shaun Edwards went public to state that the All Blacks were "there for the taking" had Wales edged past France in the semis.
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw believes the world champions will be able to cope without their talisman Dan Carter as they go into battle against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
Carter, who has won 93 caps and is the All Blacks' all-time record points scorer, suffered a leg injury during training at the University of Glamorgan on Thursday and was declared unfit after undergoing a scan at a Cardiff hospital.
With Carter's place in the starting XV going to the 2011 World Cup final fly-half Aaron Cruden, McCaw has every confidence in the 23-year-old who has yet to taste defeat for New Zealand.
"It is something you can't control," McCaw said.
"It is disappointing for Dan, but the next guy will come in and we will try to give him some good ball to operate with.
"Aaron has played a few Tests, some pretty big games.
"Dan is a pretty good footballer, 90-something Tests. He is hard to replace, but we've got to get on and have belief in the next guys."
Victory for New Zealand in Cardiff would be their 25th in a row at Wales' expense and leave them one more win or a draw, against England at Twickenham next Saturday, to ensure an unbeaten 2012.
"The big motivation is backing up good performances," McCaw added. "This group of players want to perform, take a step up from the last couple of weeks.
"We have done a lot of good things this year, but we haven't reached our full potential yet."
While New Zealand have already breezed past Scotland and Italy this month, Wales were left reeling by home losses to Argentina and Samoa under interim coach Rob Howley.
"We are expecting a Welsh team to come out and front-up," McCaw said. "We certainly respect the way they go about things.
"Wales have played a lot of Tests. Give them a bit of space and time and they are good players."
Wales: 15-Leigh Halfpenny, 14-Alex Cuthbert, 13-Jonathan Davies, 12-Jamie Roberts, 11-Liam Williams, 10-Rhys Priestland, 9-Mike Phillips; 1-Paul James, 2-Matthew Rees, 3-Aaron Jarvis, 4-Bradley Davies, 5-Luke Charteris, 6-Ryan Jones, 7-Sam Warburton (captain), 8-Toby Faletau.
Replacements: 16-Ken Owens, 17-Gethin Jenkins, 18-Scott Andrews, 19-Aaron Shingler, 20-Justin Tipuric, 21-Tavis Knoyle, 22-James Hook, 23-Scott Williams.
New Zealand: 15-Israel Dagg, 14-Cory Jane, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Julian Savea, 10-Aaron Cruden, 9-Aaron Smith; 1-Tony Woodcock, 2-Andrew Hore, 3-Owen Franks, 4-Luke Romano, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Liam Messam, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 8-Kieran Read.
Replacements: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Wyatt Crockett, 18-Charlie Faumuina, 19-Brodie Retallick, 20-Victor Vito, 21-Piri Weepu, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Ben Smith.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jerome Garces (France) and Greg Garner (England)
TV: Graham Hughes (England)
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