WARREN Gatland believes Wales can end their New Zealand hoodoo in Auckland if they 'stay in the fight' and put the heat on the world champions.

Wales take on the All Blacks at Auckland's Eden Park tomorrow (kick-off 8.35am) looking to end the well-documented losing streak that stretches back to 1953.

Not many fancy them to do so – and one bookmaker is pricing them at +20 in the handicap – but Gatland's team have a chink of light courtesy of their hosts losing a raft of legends.

While Steve Hansen is still able to field a top quality side, he is deprived of the experience of retired superstars Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock.

"We have got to be able to play some rugby and we have got to stay in the fight," said Gatland.

"What the All Blacks had in the past was the absolute self-belief in playing for the 80 minutes and not panicking.

"We saw, in the World Cup against Argentina and South Africa, when they were behind at half-time, they had the experience and leadership of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Conrad Smith to pull them through.

"The challenge for us is to stay in the arm-wrestle and maybe, if we do, they haven't got the exceptional leaders to do that.

"We have to match them physically up front and, when opportunities arise, we have to take risks and play expansive rugby.

"Often the difference has been a magical moment from someone, a flip-pass from Kieran Read or someone else."

Gatland revealed that the decision to leave influential lock Luke Charteris out of the 23 was out of choice rather than injury and that loosehead Gethin Jenkins' breakdown expertise got him the nod ahead of Rob Evans.

One player whose start was never in doubt is Alun Wyn Jones with the talismanic Ospreys lock ready to win his 100th Welsh cap, becoming the fifth centurion behind Jenkins, Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams.

Gatland said: "He's been a tremendous servant of Welsh rugby and he deserves the accolades. To achieve this mark is pretty special.

"Alun Wyn has been terrific for us and his leadership off the field has been a benchmark – he sets the standard in training and pushes the other players.

"He's a very special part of this team and I'm delighted for him. I hope we can do some justice to the occasion on Saturday. It will be a great occasion for him.

"He was a bit shorter and thinner when he won his first cap, against Argentina (10 years ago at Puerto Madryn in Patagonia).

"His first game was at blindside. Just looking at the clips, he's definitely matured as a player and he's a lot calmer now than when he was as a youngster.

"The great thing about him is he stayed in Wales and signed a national dual contract. Part of that was because of the longevity it will bring – we can manage the number of games he plays over the next couple of years.

"Hopefully, Welsh rugby and the Ospreys will get some benefit from it. It's a big positive for us."