IT'S the All Blacks of the Welsh variety for Newport tomorrow with the hosts knowing a victory at Rodney Parade will enable them to look up rather than down, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Black and Ambers take on Neath (kick-off 1.30pm) and will aim to be toasting victory while watching Wales take on New Zealand in Cardiff in the evening.

Newport haven't played since a crucial 30-19 home success against Llanelli on November 1 and this weekend's game is followed by a month-long lull until the December 20 encounter with Llanovery.

Sven Cronk's men sit ninth in the Principality Premiership, five points ahead of bottom pair Neath and Aberavon.

If they suffer a home defeat tomorrow then they will be left to contemplate a relegation dogfight but if they enjoy a success then they can allow themselves to plot a winter charge up the table towards the playoff battle.

"It's a huge game for us, there's no hiding from that," said Cronk. "We are at home and need to put in a big performance.

"We are in a situation where a few wins have got away from us but we are still able to hop up that table quickly.

"But we are conscious that to do that we will have to play well against Neath; our set piece need to continue to improve while it's going to be fierce at the tackle area.

"The breakdown will be massively important because we need to get our game moving."

Newport are still without long-term injury victims Brendan Lampitt, Will Evans Dom Franchi and Matt O'Brien while their captain and openside Ollie Griffiths is on the Dragons' bench against Munster this evening along with winger Ashton Hewitt.

Neath have been showing signs of recovery after a worrying start to the season and head into the game on the back of a win against Cross Keys and a losing bonus point against title hopefuls Carmarthen Quins.

They boast last season's Newport captain Lee Beach in their ranks along with former Dragons and Black and Ambers loosehead Aaron Coundley.