The All Blacks have almost forgotten how to win in style in Europe, prompting captain Richie McCaw to demand a compelling finish to 2014.

McCaw, who leads New Zealand in a Test for the 100th time, wants the performance level to lift a notch when they face Wales in the last outing of the year at Cardiff on Saturday.

After crushing tier two opponents the United States 74-6, the All Blacks have struggled in the United Kingdom, using second-half composure rather than flair to pip England 24-21 and Scotland 24-16.

It follows single-digit wins over France, England and Ireland at the same stage last year.

“It’s our last crack for the year and while our performances have been ok, we’d like to finish off on a note where we really put a good performance together,” McCaw said.

It is also a chance for one last statement before returning to the UK in 10 months’ time to begin their World Cup title defence.

Their last big win in Europe was two years ago, when they clobbered Wales 33-10 after racing 20-0 ahead in the first quarter.

McCaw doesn’t expect things will be so straightforward against a home side boasting 10 British and Irish Lions in a starting team close to full strength.

He also hopes they can shed a reputation for limping over the line in the last Test of the year.

They were hammered by England at Twickenham in 2012 and last year somehow overhauled Ireland’s giant lead with a try in the final minute.

“Hopefully we’ve learned some lessons from the last couple of years.

“The reality is that the guys who are playing tomorrow didn’t play last week (against Scotland).

“Having to watch usually adds a bit of fire.”

Winger Julian Savea supported his skipper’s sentiment, believing the backline is yet to fire this month.

Despite a heavy-looking surface at Millennium Stadium, Savea reckons they’re determined to let the team’s speedsters unleash.

“Every week the mindset’s there. We want to show our stuff and pass the ball as much as we can,” he said.

“A lot of the defences are rushing us quite a lot and the most frustrating thing is that we’re not adapting fast enough.”

McCaw says he is unconcerned by the shabby appearance of the stadium’s pitch, which has a thin smattering of grass on a heavy, sandy surface.

It has recently been re-laid and McCaw says it performed well enough in Wales’ two Tests there this month – a tight loss to Australia and narrow defeat of Fiji.