"The numbers are not on Wales' side. - Wales have won only two of their last 21Tests - New Zealand have scored 40 or more points in four of their last five games against Wales. - The first half has been the highest scoring period in seven of Wales' matches in 2025 - Kiwi winger Will Jordan has scored 43 tries in 52 Tests. I expect he'll add at least one or two more today."
"There are a dozen changes to the side that lost to England last week. Damien McKenzie starts at fly-half and Ruben Love's selection at full-back means Will Jordan switches to the right wing. World Rugby's Breakthrough Player of the Year nominee Fabian Holland starts in the second row. New Zealand: Love; Jordan, R Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Clarke; McKenzie, Ratima; T Williams, Taukei'aho, Tosi, S Barrett (capt), Holland, Parker, Kirifi, Sititi. Replacements: Bell, Newell, Bower, Lord, Lio-Willie, Christie, Fainga'anuku, Reece."
"Welsh rugby is built on its connection with local communities and today we get a brilliant example of that. Harri Deaves began his working life as a roofer but on Saturday the Ospreys flanker will run out in the scarlet shirt of Wales against the All Blacks to complete an amazing story from club rugby player to international. The 24-year-old coaches in his hometown of Pontyclun and is the captain of the club's darts second team. He starts. in a back row that has a lot of mobility alongside 23-year-old Alex Mann and Taine Plumtree at No. 8."
Wales have won only two of their last 21 Tests and have conceded heavy scoring to New Zealand, who posted 40+ points in four of the last five meetings. New Zealand make several changes with Damien McKenzie at fly-half, Ruben Love at full-back and Will Jordan shifting to the right wing, while Fabian Holland starts in the second row. New Zealand named a full bench including Bell, Newell and Fainga'anuku. Wales include Harri Deaves, a former roofer turned international, in a mobile back row with Alex Mann and Taine Plumtree, with Dan Edwards at fly-half and Adam Beard in the pack.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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