The Welsh legend says Wales' players need support more than ever amid difficult results and off-field problems

Wales legend Jonathan 'Jiffy' Davies has issued a plea to Welsh fans ahead of Saturday's clash with the All Blacks, insisting they cannot lose faith in the national side.

You'd have to go back to 1953 for the last time since Wales defeated New Zealand, with few believing that run will be ended on Saturday. The last three meetings between the sides have seen the All Blacks score over 50 points on each occasion.

As such, Davies has compared this weekend to an old-fashioned David and Goliath clash, calling on Steve Tandy's side to adopt the mindset of FA Cup giant-killers.

And the dual-code icon also made a plea to the Welsh supporters to get behind Wales this weekend, despite the myriad of problems in the Welsh game.

“There’s a big gulf in difference between the two sides,” Davies told Planet Rugby. “I’m not slagging the boys off. I’ve been in the same situation, I never beat New Zealand.

“You go in all guns blazing, trying to think you can win. Then you come up short. Again and again. Mentally, it’s tough. No-one gives Wales a chance.

“But sport is littered with examples of giant-killing, especially in the FA Cup. Teams written off, freed up by a total lack of expectation to produce miracles.”

Last week saw 52,425 attend the win over Japan - down on last year's attendance against the same opposition, although it's unclear just how many tickets were given away last year.

There'll be more fans in Cardiff this weekend, but the match against the All Blacks isn't the automatic sell-out it once was.

However, Davies has called for whoever turns up on Saturday to support the players.

“Saturday feels a bit like a classic FA Cup tie,” he added.

“I suspect New Zealand will be far too strong for us but they’ve played a ton of rugby this year and there is a lot of pressure on them. They don’t want to be the first team in 73 years to lose to Wales.

“My plea to the fans is get behind the players. Nobody wants to win more than they do and losing in the Welsh jersey in front of your own crowd is not nice, I can tell you.

“They’re not to blame for the s**t show in Welsh rugby. So we can’t give up on them. A good autumn will help them become a better team by the World Cup.”