Victory for Wales on Saturday against New Zealand would not only bring to an end a 56-year drought, it could also herald the beginning of a third golden age of rugby in the Principality, with their legion of Lions players at its heart.

And if injury rules out Dan Carter at the Millennium Stadium — as Warren Gatland thinks it may, despite further denials on Friday by Richie McCaw — then their chances will be enhanced.

After victory in 1905 over the touring team, Wales enjoyed considerable success in the period up to the First World War. In 1971, the series win by the Lions over the All Blacks was inspired by a core of world-class Wales internationals.

Welsh rugby was in its pomp in the Seventies and only a late match-winning penalty, in an incident notable for Andy Haden’s controversial dive out of a lineout, denied them in 1978.

Gatland’s side include 13 players in the starting XV with Lions experience. It is a potent mixture and a vital ingredient. Welsh players formed the nucleus of the squad that was unfortunate not to beat the Springboks in the summer, the same South Africa side that went on to defeat New Zealand three times in the Tri-Nations.

It was a setback that prompted Graham Henry to reshuffle the roles of his coaching staff and for the senior players — as McCaw, the captain, said this week — to reconnect with their responsibilities. Given the talent available, it seems incomprehensible that the last time Wales beat the All Blacks was in 1953.

There is little doubt that Wales have several players on whom the mantle “world class” sits comfortably, Stephen Jones, Martyn Williams and Gethin Jenkins to name but three. It has been a question of belief, which is why Gatland has been banging on about the vanishing aura of the All Blacks. It was not said as a stunt. It was heartfelt and has a ring of truth about it. Whether the head coach was wise to articulate his thoughts outside the squad is another matter.

“Our players with the Lions performed very well and hopefully have come back with confidence and self-belief,” Gatland said. “Our game has moved on from 12 months ago. It is part of my job to instil that belief that we are capable on our day of winning.”

As ever, the breakdown, where McCaw rules the roost, will be key. “The breakdown is a war at the moment,” Gatland said. “It is about accelerating into the contact in attack and defence and that’s what we have to do to match them; put bodies on the line. We have to be as physical as we can with McCaw and hopefully make him feel like he has been in a game.”

McCaw is used to such attention. “The breakdown is vitally important,” he said. “What happens there stems from what happens on the gain line. If you are going forward, it makes it quite easy. If not, it becomes a hard place.”

New Zealand — who have one new cap, Zac Guildford, the wing — won last year’s fixture 29-9 but that after being 9-6 down at half-time. Stephen Jones, who has faced the All Blacks 11 times either for Wales or with the Lions, is confident that his side can learn from that performance.

If mistakes, off which New Zealand feed so readily, are eliminated, history can be made, especially if Jamie Roberts can dent the midfield.

“We are a settled squad going in the right direction,” Jones said. “The players had a good experience in the summer individually, they have to bring those experiences to the Welsh camp.”

If they do, then who knows what heights Wales can hit over the next two years.

Wales v New Zealand
Wales
15 J Hook; 14 L Halfpenny, 13 T Shanklin, 12 J Roberts, 11 S Williams; 10 S Jones, 9 G Cooper; 1 G Jenkins, 2 M Rees, 3 P James, 4 A W Jones, 5 L Charteris, 6 A Powell, 7 M Williams, 8 R Jones (capt). Replacements: 16 H Bennett, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 B Davies, 19 Dafydd Jones, 20 M Roberts, 21 J Davies, 22 T James.
New Zealand
15 M Muliaina; 14 C Jane, 13 C Smith, 12 M Nonu, 11 Z Guildford; 10 D Carter, 9 B Leonard; 1 W Crockett, 2 A Hore, 3 N Tialata, 4 B Thorn, 5 J Eaton, 6 J Kaino, 7 R McCaw (capt), 8 K Read. Replacements: 16 C Flynn, 17 O Franks, 18 T Donnelly, 19 A Thomson, 20 J Cowan, 21 S Donald, 22 B Smith.
Venue Millennium Stadium.
TV BBC Two, 5.15pm.
Referee C Joubert (South Africa)