Wales v New Zealand - Teams and Prediction
PREVIEW: A week on from England scuppering their Grand Slam aspirations, New Zealand will bid to bounce back with a season-ending victory over struggling Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
The All Blacks went down 19-33 to the English last weekend, having first notched up wins over Ireland (26-13) and Scotland (25-17).
Coach Scott Robertson has rung the changes for the clash at the Principality Stadium, bringing in 12 fresh faces to the run-on XV that started against England.
Only captain Scott Barrett, flank Simon Parker and Will Jordan, who switches from fullback to wing, keep their places.
A host of big names, such as Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea, are rested.
But Robertson insisted there would be no underestimating Wales despite the hosts being on an unenviable 33-match losing streak against the All Blacks.
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“We do not underestimate the passion and resolve that Wales will bring and we know how organised, accurate and ruthless we need to be in return,” said the Kiwi coach.
Wales, who beat Japan last weekend thanks to an injury-time penalty, have claimed just two wins in their last 21 Test matches. The other victory was also over Japan, in July.
Few are giving Wales a chance on Saturday, but lock Dafydd Jenkins insisted that the camp was positive as it eyed ending the wait for a first win over the All Blacks since 1953.
“You wouldn’t be a pro athlete if you didn’t think that you are going to win games,” Jenkins said.
“You definitely have that respect for them, but we are looking forward to giving it a crack; it’s a huge opportunity to cause a real upset.
“It’s a game of rugby and anything can happen, but New Zealand are a quality team and you are not going to beat them unless you are 100 percent on your game. Switch off for a second and you will be under your sticks.”
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Also not lost on Wales was the fact that coming off a loss to England, New Zealand were “going to be ramped up”, according to Jenkins.
“We know that, but it’s exciting and we have got nothing to lose.”
Flank Harri Deaves will make his debut for Wales as one of five changes coach Steve Tandy made to the side that scraped past Japan.
Assistant New Zealand coach Scott Hansen said his much-changed team had reviewed the defeat by England to allow a game plan of “better adjustments” and improved kicking.
“When you talk about a game plan, for me personally, it must be one for the All Blacks that allows them to adjust, see what’s in front, and play the obvious,” Hansen said.
*Wales’s hopes of a much-needed morale-boosting victory suffered a blow with experienced back row forward Aaron Wainwright ruled out on Friday.
The 28-year-old, capped 61 times, has been replaced at No 8 in the starting XV by Taine Plumtree with uncapped Morgan Morse called up as a replacement for Saturday’s match.
Players to watch
For Wales: Harri Deaves will make his debut for Wales as one of five changes to the side that beat Japan last week. Deaves will start at openside flank alongside blindside Alex Mann and Taine Plumtree at No.8. Captain Dewi Lake starts at hooker, with props Rhys Carre and Keiron Assiratti named in the front row. There are two changes to the Wales backline: Joe Hawkins is selected at inside centre and will feature for Wales for the first time since the 2023 Six Nations, while Tom Rogers returns on the wing with Josh Adams banned following his red card against Japan.
For New Zealand: Damian McKenzie starts at flyhalf, and things could turn ugly for the Welsh if he starts to run them ragged. Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane will be in the midfield, inside wingers Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan. Scott Robertson will start with the reserve front row from last week – Tamaiti Williams, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Pasilio Tosi – while Fletcher Newell shifts to the bench alongside George Bell and George Bower, who are named for the first time in November.
Prediction
Rugby365: New Zealand by 45 points.
Teams:
Wales: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Tom Rogers, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Harri Deaves, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Keiron Assiratti, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Rhys Carre.
Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Morgan Morse, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Nick Tompkins.
New Zealand: 15 Ruben Love, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Fletcher Newell, 18 George Bower, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Christian Lio-Willie, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 23 Sevu Reece.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 15.10 (15.10 GMT; 04.10 Sunday, November 23)
Expected weather: The roof will be closed.
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy, Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
