All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has rung the changes for the match against Wales and has recognised how “organised, accurate and ruthless” they need to be to beat them
New Zealand have made 13 changes to the team that lost to England for their clash against Wales in Cardiff this weekend. Scott Robertson has named 6ft 5in, 144KG prop Tamaiti Williams to start on Saturday evening.
Williams was part of the reserve front three against England last week and will start alongside Pasilio Tosi and Samisoni Taukei’aho against Wales. Fabian Holland partners up with captain Scott Barrett in the boiler house, with Josh Lord providing cover on the bench. In the back-row, Simon Parker retains his place, with Du’Plessis Kirifi and Wallace Sititi joining him in the loose forward trio.
In the half-backs, Cortez Ratima and Damian McKenzie partner up in place of Beauden Barrett and Cam Roigard. Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane link up in the centres in place of Quinn Tupaea and Billy Proctor.
McKenzie put in an iconic performance against Scotland two weeks ago and provides a serious threat from outside-half. When he takes to the field against Wales this weekend, he will extend his run of Test appearances to 29 and is also the only player to have exceeded 200 first-class points in 2025.
The back three is comprised of Ruben Love, Will Jordan and Caleb Clarke. Love is replacing Jordan at full-back, with the latter moving to the wing. Peter Lakai, Tevita Mafileo, Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau and Jordie Barrett are all unavailable for selection due to injury.
Speaking ahead of the match, Robertson said: “We have a lot to play for this weekend – we want to put on a performance that reflects the effort and pride we have put in, and that is a fitting farewell to Jason, Robbo and Coops [Assistant Coach Jason Holland; NZR CEO Mark Robinson and NZR President Matthew Cooper].
“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.”
New Zealand kick-started their autumn campaign against Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago, the same venue where the Irish defeated them nine years ago.
However, the All Blacks won 26-13 against the Six Nations titans before locking horns with Scotland a week later. Gregor Townsend’s side pushed them to the limit in Edinburgh, but thanks to some heroics from McKenzie, their dream of an autumn grand slam continued.
However, their quest for a clean sweep all came crashing down against the English last week, with a try from Tom Roebuck putting the game beyond all doubt on 77 minutes. Wales themselves picked up their first win of the campaign against Japan last weekend despite a less-than-satisfactory performance.
Wales head coach Steve Tandy said: “We obviously want to improve the performance from Japan. I thought we had some outstanding moments against Argentina [in week one]. We felt we would have liked to have improved more last weekend. It was obviously good to get the win, but we want to improve our own performance against a world-class opposition on Saturday.”
New Zealand: Ruben Love; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke; Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Tamaiti Williams, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Pasilio Tosi, Scott Barrett (Captain), Fabian Holland, Simon Parker, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi.
Replacements: George Bell, Fletcher Newell, George Bower, Josh Lord, Christian Lio-Willie, Finlay Christie, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Sevu Reece.
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