Coach Steve Hansen predicts Hurricanes star will be back to his best against Wales.

The All Blacks back three are bracing for an aerial bombardment from Wales on Saturday but the tactic of peppering the heavens could backfire if not executed with precision.

Where previously the All Blacks have favoured a fullback-come-wing, the likes of Cory Jane and Nehe Milner-Skudder, on the edge to complement their back three mix, this week Steve Hansen made intentions clear by selecting two out-and-out power finishers in Julian Savea and Waisake Naholo.

Such firepower makes others green with envy but also carries a degree of risk.

ANDREW CORNAGA/PHOTOSPORT Julian Savea has endured a frustrating season blighted by fitness issues and breaking team curfew at the Hurricanes.

Searching for any ounce of vulnerability, the Welsh may see Savea and Naholo as targets, both with the ball in behind them and under hoisted bombs. Neither have great kicking games if pinned and forced to clear. Generally their instincts are to attack.

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ANDREW CORNAGA/PHOTOSPORT Waisake Naholo's progress at this level has been stunted by two fractured legs.

Welsh first five-eighth Dan Biggar does not possess a dangerous running game but is one of the world's best at retrieving his own kicks. Biggar stands deep in the pocket and loves to chip over the midfield. He will look vary his nudges; plug the ball into the Eden Park corners, and test the All Blacks wings' positional play with cross field kicks for big George North and Hallam Amos.

Ben Smith will be expected to take leadership and provide a strong voice in the backfield and his familiarity with Naholo from the Highlanders is crucial. The new All Blacks vice captain is brilliant at attacking the ball in the air, and then switching straight into attacking mode. Here he thrives.

"We've got a bit of a plan around that," Smith said. "It's about being confident around getting up for the high ball when it's there. As a back three we'll try and own that. They might want to test us there but we can turn that into an advantage for us also by defusing those and playing off the back of them.

SUPPLIED/YouTube Wales were looking to beat New Zealand for the first time since 1953. Both teams were involved in a dramatic stand-off, that lasted two minutes, while the referee tried to get the game started.

"You've got to see it as an attacking opportunity.

"Julian and Waisake have different skill sets to other players and any team that have those two in their ranks will try to use them wherever they can.

"As a back three it's about working together to make space."

IAIN MCGREGOR/FAIRFAX NZ Waisake Naholo in action against Argentina.

The margin of error for Biggar and the Welsh is minimal. Miss their target or fail to bring up a solid chase line and the All Blacks will make them pay.

Wayne Smith is a trump card in this regard. Over the past few years he's made the counter attacking brief his own with the Chiefs and All Blacks. It's an area of the game he enjoys and that could spell trouble for the Welsh if they can't achieve pinpoint accuracy.

Both All Blacks wings should have points to prove, too.

To this stage Savea has endured a frustrating season blighted by fitness issues and breaking team curfew at the Hurricanes. He needs to repay the faith.

Typically, he finds a new sense of motivation in the black jersey and Hansen expects that to be true this time around.

"He's hungry from a rugby point of view," Hansen said. "He knows he's overdue to put a bit in for the team and we've had a good week with him and I'm expecting him to play really well. I think you'll see the old Julian Savea we all know and love come Saturday."

Naholo's progress at this level has been stunted by two fractured legs and, in just his fourth test, he will be keen to prove he belongs.

"His first test he broke his leg and we probably brought him back a wee bit too soon for the World Cup hoping it was right so he didn't get a lot of opportunities over there. He's a special player when he's right so looking forward to seeing him get out there and play 80 minutes."

Nail their core duties under the high ball and the All Blacks back three could combine for some special moments.

Don't, and the Welsh will feed off their mistakes.

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