Wales is shaking things up for their titanic clash against the All Blacks this Saturday at the Principality Stadium, making several key adjustments to their lineup. While not as drastic as New Zealand's 13 changes, Wales's tweaks signal a strategic recalibration after their narrow victory over Japan.
Forced changes and strategic swaps mark the Welsh team's new composition. Tom Rogers steps in for the suspended Josh Adams, joining forces with Louis Rees-Zammit and Blair Murray in the back three. In the midfield, Joe Hawkins replaces Ben Thomas, pairing up with Max Llewellyn, while the half-back duo of Tomos Williams and Dan Edwards remains untouched, continuing their roles as the team's playmakers.
In the forward pack, Aaron Wainwright transitions from blindside flanker to number eight, with Alex Mann filling the vacated flanker position. This shuffle allows for the introduction of Harri Deaves, who will make his test debut at openside against the formidable All Blacks, stepping in for the injured Olly Cracknell.
"We’ve brought Joe Hawkins in at 12, we think he’s trained really well,"
stated Tandy.
"Harri Deaves making his debut is an amazing story. His performances for the Ospreys on both sides of the ball have been outstanding, I love how he plays the game. He’s a smaller rugby player but, with the way he plays, he adds physicality, speed and aggression,"
he added, highlighting the impact of the new players.
The front row sees further changes, with Keiron Assiratti and Rhys Carre starting over Archie Griffin and Nicky Smith, respectively. Griffin will appear off the bench, where he's joined by Gareth Thomas, Brodie Coghlan, Freddie Thomas, and Taine Plumtree. The reserves for the backline are Kieran Hardy, Nick Tompkins, and Japan match-winner Jarrod Evans.
Wales team to face the All Blacks: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Tom Rogers, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Harri Deaves, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 3 Keiron Assiratti, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 1 Rhys Carre Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Taine Plumtree, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Nick Tompkins
The stage is set for a monumental showdown, with the match kicking off at 15:10 GMT. Referee Hollie Davidson will be officiating, assisted by Andrea Piardi and Gianluca Gnecchi, with Ian Tempest as TMO and Matteo Liperini fulfilling the FPRO duties.
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Wales is shaking things up for their titanic clash against the All Blacks this Saturday at the Principality Stadium, making several key adjustments to their lineup. While not as drastic as New Zealand's 13 changes, Wales's tweaks signal a strategic recalibration after their narrow victory over Japan.
Forced changes and strategic swaps mark the Welsh team's new composition. Tom Rogers steps in for the suspended Josh Adams, joining forces with Louis Rees-Zammit and Blair Murray in the back three. In the midfield, Joe Hawkins replaces Ben Thomas, pairing up with Max Llewellyn, while the half-back duo of Tomos Williams and Dan Edwards remains untouched, continuing their roles as the team's playmakers.
In the forward pack, Aaron Wainwright transitions from blindside flanker to number eight, with Alex Mann filling the vacated flanker position. This shuffle allows for the introduction of Harri Deaves, who will make his test debut at openside against the formidable All Blacks, stepping in for the injured Olly Cracknell.
"We’ve brought Joe Hawkins in at 12, we think he’s trained really well,"
stated Tandy."Harri Deaves making his debut is an amazing story. His performances for the Ospreys on both sides of the ball have been outstanding, I love how he plays the game. He’s a smaller rugby player but, with the way he plays, he adds physicality, speed and aggression,"
he added, highlighting the impact of the new players.The front row sees further changes, with Keiron Assiratti and Rhys Carre starting over Archie Griffin and Nicky Smith, respectively. Griffin will appear off the bench, where he's joined by Gareth Thomas, Brodie Coghlan, Freddie Thomas, and Taine Plumtree. The reserves for the backline are Kieran Hardy, Nick Tompkins, and Japan match-winner Jarrod Evans.
Wales team to face the All Blacks:
15 Blair Murray, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Tom Rogers, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Harri Deaves, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 3 Keiron Assiratti, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 1 Rhys Carre
Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Taine Plumtree, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Nick Tompkins
The stage is set for a monumental showdown, with the match kicking off at 15:10 GMT. Referee Hollie Davidson will be officiating, assisted by Andrea Piardi and Gianluca Gnecchi, with Ian Tempest as TMO and Matteo Liperini fulfilling the FPRO duties.