Head coach Steve Hansen has named the New Zealand team that will welcome Wales in their first test match this weekend.
NEW ZEALAND TEAM TO PLAY WALES
15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Seta Tamanivalu
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Very strong team!
No English interest as usual, but what’s new?
Looking ahead, it may have been informative as 2 whom NZ may pick 4 the Nov Int’als.
Bit conservative in a way as NZ could have put Moala in midfield for the solid Crotty (Nagtai being injured of course).
Also, as McKenzie of the Chiefs has been tearing up teams in S rugby, I thought he’d @ least have featured on the bench. Could even have started with B. Smith switching back to his old wing posi.
The rest pick themselves, allowing for injury, I guess.
In any event, should be 2 strong, fast, skilled & intense for Wales, esp after the latter’s last disappointing showing v England. Had prev thought Wales may have had a puncher’s chance in the 1st test, but now revised my view .
Wales must think of Gatland’s & Edwards’ standings for the future benefit of their team, surely.
Wow you really have an axe to grind here.
My 10p worth. Good team should have no problem with Wales. New Zealand have such great succession planning that despite the changing of the guard they can still name a XV with no one below 15 caps. A couple of exciting players for the future on the bench it will be interesting to see how early they come on.