Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has said that they are in New Zealand to make history by beating the World Champions in their own country for the first time.
Wales have not beaten New Zealand since 1953 and Howley is hoping that they can end a 26 match losing streak to the All Blacks.
“We are here to try and change history and what’s gone before us, that’s our goal,” said Howley.
Wales’ first Test is on Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland where the All Blacks have not lost a Test since 1994.
The All Blacks are usually a little rusty in their first Test of the year and they have not played together since the Rugby World Cup final last year in October.
Wales came second in the Six Nations but lost 27-13 recently to a second string England team so the All Blacks are strong favourites to win the series but Howley says they must not let the odds concern them.
“There is something of a siege mentality which can benefit teams when you come over to the southern hemisphere,” Howley told the BBC.
“History is against us, but we need to change history and by trying to create a siege mentality that might put us, hopefully at some time on Saturday, in a good space and putting the All Blacks under pressure on some occasions.”
Howley says that Wales are changing the way they play rugby and that they are trying to add some variety to their play.
“Skill set under pressure is vital in the modern game and we are continually working on it,” he said.
“It’s about speed and mindset. It takes time, but it’s something which we are very mindful of.”
“Hopefully you will see not just glimpses of it on the weekend, but quite a lot of it.”
Wales 2016 Tour Dates
11 June: New Zealand (Auckland)
14 June: Chiefs (Hamilton)
18 June: New Zealand (Wellington)
25 June: New Zealand (Dunedin)
