LEINSTER-BOUND RIEKO Ioane has been recalled to a much-changed New Zealand team for their Autumn Nations Series clash with Wales.
All Blacks boss Scott Robertson has rang the changes, bringing in 12 fresh faces to the side that started last week’s defeat to England.
Only captain Scott Barrett, flanker Simon Parker and Will Jordan, who switches from fullback to wing, keep their places from the team beaten by England.
The likes of star out-half Beauden Barrett, stand-out backrow Ardie Savea and hooker Codie Taylor are all rested for the clash at the Principality Stadium.
Ioane’s appearance will be his first All Blacks start since the 24-17 Rugby Championship win against South Africa in Eden Park in early September.
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Flanker Harri Deaves will make his debut for Wales as one of five changes to the side that beat Japan last week.
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Deaves will start at openside flanker alongside blindside Alex Mann and Aaron Wainwright 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.
Among the replacements, hooker Brodie Coghlan would join Deaves in making his Wales debut on Saturday with an appearance from the bench, while loosehead prop Gareth Thomas is in line to make his first appearance for Wales in this campaign.
New Zealand
15. Ruben Love
14. Will Jordan
13. Rieko Ioane
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
11. Caleb Clarke
10. Damian McKenzie
9. Cortez Ratima
1. Tamaiti Williams
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Pasilio Tosi
4. Scott Barrett (captain)
5. Fabian Holland
6. Simon Parke
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi
8. Wallace Sititi
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
Wales
15. Blair Murray
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
13. Max Llewellyn
12. Joe Hawkins
11. Tom Rogers
10. Dan Edwards
9. Tomos Williams
1. Rhys Carre
2. Dewi Lake (captain)
3. Keiron Assiratti
4. Dafydd Jenkins
5. Adam Beard
6. Alex Mann
7. Harri Deaves
8. Aaron Wainwright
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Leinster-bound Ioane returns to the All Blacks starting XV for Wales
LEINSTER-BOUND RIEKO Ioane has been recalled to a much-changed New Zealand team for their Autumn Nations Series clash with Wales.
All Blacks boss Scott Robertson has rang the changes, bringing in 12 fresh faces to the side that started last week’s defeat to England.
Only captain Scott Barrett, flanker Simon Parker and Will Jordan, who switches from fullback to wing, keep their places from the team beaten by England.
The likes of star out-half Beauden Barrett, stand-out backrow Ardie Savea and hooker Codie Taylor are all rested for the clash at the Principality Stadium.
Ioane’s appearance will be his first All Blacks start since the 24-17 Rugby Championship win against South Africa in Eden Park in early September.
Flanker 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 flanker alongside blindside Alex Mann and Aaron Wainwright 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.
Among the replacements, hooker Brodie Coghlan would join Deaves in making his Wales debut on Saturday with an appearance from the bench, while loosehead prop Gareth Thomas is in line to make his first appearance for Wales in this campaign.
New Zealand
15. Ruben Love
14. Will Jordan
13. Rieko Ioane
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
11. Caleb Clarke
10. Damian McKenzie
9. Cortez Ratima
1. Tamaiti Williams
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Pasilio Tosi
4. Scott Barrett (captain)
5. Fabian Holland
6. Simon Parke
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi
8. Wallace Sititi
Replacements:
Wales
15. Blair Murray
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
13. Max Llewellyn
12. Joe Hawkins
11. Tom Rogers
10. Dan Edwards
9. Tomos Williams
1. Rhys Carre
2. Dewi Lake (captain)
3. Keiron Assiratti
4. Dafydd Jenkins
5. Adam Beard
6. Alex Mann
7. Harri Deaves
8. Aaron Wainwright
Replacements:
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New Zealand Rugby Scott Robertson Teamsheets Wales