Wales must have belief - Williams

Wales coach Warren Gatland has also called on his players to have belief

Welsh rugby legend JJ Williams says Wales need to break their mental shackles if they are to beat New Zealand in Cardiff on Saturday.

The former winger, who was involved in the controversial 13-12 loss to the All Blacks in 1978, has also beaten them with the Lions and Llanelli.

But Wales have not been victorious over New Zealand since 1953.

"It's the psychological barrier that players have to overcome when they play the All Blacks," he told Scrum V Radio.

Williams was in the Llanelli team in 1972 that beat the All Blacks 9-3 at Stradey Park.

He also scored the only try when the Lions beat the All Blacks in 1977, although they lost the Test series 3-1.

And a year later he was in the Wales side who were leading New Zealand with two minutes remaining before being undone by a controversial refereeing decision at a line-out.

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Ever since then Wales have struggled, with defeats becoming heavier.

"The Welsh players have held the All Blacks in awe and given too much respect," said 30-times capped Williams.

"We have to give them respect but we regarded them as far too superior for us and the gap had got too wide.

"That's why they haven't beaten them since."

But Williams said there had been changes in attitude over the last few years thanks to the likes of Steve Hansen - the former Wales coach who is now the All Blacks assistant - and now Warren Gatland taking the Wales reins.

"I don't think that's been the case over the last two or three years since we've had New Zealand coaches coming into Wales," Williams added.

"The attitude has change a little bit, a bit more of a killer instinct and professional attitude and they are not so frightened of them."

Williams, 59, says Wales have to believe they can beat New Zealand if they are to have a chance.

"We are going to beat them - that's how we've got to approach top sports," he said.

"I think that's the attitude we've got to have now.

"We've got some very good runners in the Welsh three-quarter line and we've got some good forwards as well.

"But we must step up to the mark.

"We let South Africa slip two weeks ago. We didn't have the confidence to go for it.

"But they can do it. They must believe it and the coaches must convince them leading up to Saturday that they can win.

"If they believe that themselves, then they can possibly do it."