Wales may have waited 64 years for a win over the All Blacks but the fact that a sprinkling of the side which will face them tomorrow in Cardiff experienced that emotion in Wellington as recently as four months ago has changed the equation, according to Gatland.

After flying home as equals following the series in the summer, the Wales coach senses a different mood among his Lions in the build-up to this game – and one that has spread across his team.

“In the past, and rightly so with the All Blacks having been the best team in the world consistently, you almost have that fear factor about playing them,” said Gatland.

“The fact that some of these players have played them on a regular basis, there is not that trepidation. There is that familiarity. You just feel a bit more comfortable.

“The guys have prepared really well this week. They just seem calm and not so nervous and uptight as they may have been in the past. That’s the experienced players like Alun Wyn or Ken Owens or Taulupe Faletau just having had that experience of playing against the All Blacks. The players realise what a big game it is and they are really looking forward to it.”

Wales are without three of the Lions who featured in Wellington in captain Sam Warburton, Jonathan Davies and Liam Williams. But they were able to name a side yesterday which included Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau, who started that Second Test, as well as Rhys Webb and Ken Owens who were on the bench.

Gatland, flanked by artificial Christmas trees at Wales’ training base, revealed root-and-branch changes to the experimental team fielded against Georgia last weekend for the visit of the world champions. There are 12 in all with the pack which faced Australia a fortnight ago back en bloc and Webb and Dan Biggar reunited at half-back.

To combat Sonny Bill Williams, there is also a pair of Williams in the Wales midfield where the Scarlet, Scott, will win his 50th cap.

The presence of Gloucester’s Owen alongside shows Wales’ keenness to persist with the twin playmaker approach.

They saw how close Scotland pushed the All Blacks last weekend – eventually going down 22-17 – by playing with ambition and have similar thoughts in mind.

“Scotland continued to play and put them under pressure. They were bold in the way they played and seemed to play with a free spirit which was really encouraging,” said Gatland.

“We thought 10 and 12 went pretty well against Australia and some of the attacking options were good. We are excited about those guys playing in the centre against a huge All Blacks back-line.

“We used to be criticised for having one of the biggest backlines in the world; now we have one of the smallest. It’s just about picking the best players at your disposal.”

Hallam Amos and Steff Evans, who have scored three tries between them in Wales’ first two matches in the Under Armour Series, are on the wings, although Amos will have to play out of position on the right.

The All Blacks are much changed from the summer but as the Lions discovered in their fixtures against Super Rugby opposition, New Zealand have enviable depth.

“They are still the best team in the world. They could put out a fourth, fifth or sixth-strength team and still beat most teams because of the quality of players they have,” said Gatland.

“They are probably missing seven or eight of their regular starters from 12 months ago, but in saying that, it is an opportunity from them to develop some depth, and we are going through the same process.”

WALES: Halfpenny; Amos, S Williams, O Williams, S Evans; Biggar, Webb; R Evans, Owens, Francis, Ball, AW Jones (capt), Shingler, Navidi, Faletau. Replacements: Dacey, W Jones, Brown, Hill, Tipuric, G Davies, Priestland, Roberts.

NEW ZEALAND: to come.