CARDIFF (AFP) - Wales great Neil Jenkins has dismissed talk that now is the perfect time to end his country's decades-long losing streak against New Zealand.

The All Blacks go into Saturday's international here in Cardiff having not lost against Wales since 1956, a run of 20 straight Test match wins.

But star New Zealand outside-half Dan Carter is not guaranteed to recover from a calf injury in time for the Millennium Stadium match.

Meanwhile wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Tony Woodock will both definitely be ruled out after they were both suspended for foul play during last Saturday's win over Australia in Tokyo.

New Zealand have also come under intense scrutiny from their own fans in the rugby-obsessed country after losing three times in this season's Tri-Nations, albeit on all occasions to world champions South Africa.

And doubts remain over the wisdom of head coach Graham Henry and his assistants switching from their previously defined specialist roles to take on the others' areas of responsibility.

Wales have, in recent times, given themselves hope of equalling the feat of their 1953 predecessors, who beat New Zealand 13-8.

A year ago they led the All Blacks by 9-6 at half-time only to lose 29-9 while in 2004 Wales suffered the heartbreak of going down to a 26-25 defeat.

"It is a huge challenge for us," former goalkicker Jenkins, now an assistant to Wales's Kiwi head coach Warren Gatland, said on Tuesday.

"We played some great rugby against New Zealand last year, certainly in the first-half, but it is about 80 minutes against the All Blacks.

"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," Jenkins added.

"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."

Wales will go into this weekend's match with the talented James Hook in the unfamiliar position of full-back.

Hook, deputising for the injured Lee Byrne, is better known as an outside-half or centre.

But Jenkins has no doubt the 24-year-old will cope in the No 15 shirt.

"He's a great player, James - he is just a fantastic rugby player," Jenkins insisted. "He just wants to play for his country, and he is happy to play anywhere in the team.

"He will have a tough afternoon with Carter's kicking game and the way New Zealand play, but we have worked our socks off in that area to bring him up to the pace of it and the understanding of that role."

And Jenkins said countering New Zealand's kicking game and making sure they had a good one of their own would be vital to Wales's chances of success.

"We like to play rugby, as New Zealand do as well, but if you kick loosely to New Zealand, they are going to punish you."