Wales have made five changes to their starting XV for Saturday's Test with New Zealand with Sam Warburton returning as captain.
Warburton's return comes at the expense of Justin Tipuric at openside flank. In other changes in the pack, Matthew Rees returnes at hooker for Richard Hibbard and Luke Charteris comes into the second row in place of Ian Evans, who is battling to overcome a knee injury. Aaron Shingler is named on the bench.
Amongst the backs, Jonathan Davies replaces Ashley Beck at outside centre, Rhys Priestland starts at fly-half instead of James Hook, with Dan Biggar sidelined due to injury.
Warren Gatland has returned to the coaching set-up after missing Wales' consecutive Test defeats to Argentina and Samoa this month and will lead the side on Saturday against his native New Zealand.
It's an honour to be playing the World Champions at the Millennium Stadium this weekend," he said.
"Memories of the Rugby World Cup and touring New Zealand the previous summer are still fresh in the mind of many of the players and staff.
"The hospitality shown and the way we were looked after made the experience especially memorable and that makes it all the more special that we have the opportunity to face the best side in the world at the moment in Cardiff."
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Ryan Jones (capt), 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Aaron Shingler, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 James Hook, 23 Scott Williams.
Date: Saturday, November 24
Kick-off: 17:15 GMT
Venue: Millennium Stadium
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garces, Greg Garner (England)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
Comments
APV1 says...
@ Trader2 - thanks for the heads up. I will be with Welsh supporters and shall be supporting Wales, of course. But after the whole nation got behind them in last year's RWC and the sunbsequent disappointment, it's going to be tough.
I wonder if I'll burst into flames if I wear one of my (white!) England rugby tops. I just about survived The Shed once wearing my Bath top, so this couldn't be any more hostile. Could it..?
And many glasses will be raised, regardless of the winner.
Cheers!
Posted 12:12 22nd November 2012
Trader2 says...
@APV1
Lucky you enjoy the match, I think you should support Wales, I don't like the Wannabies that much either but would always support them against a NH side, why? not sure really just the way I am.
And by the way you are not allowed to make sheep jokes anymore I saw where someone here in Oz (presumbably a Kiwi) sued their boss for racial vilification and won. Shame really some of those jokes are pretty good, the problem is most Aussies, not being that original, keep coming up with the old ones, no imagination. Have I got off the topic a bit? Sorry.
Anyway have fun, will think of you down at the Old Arcade raising your glass to another AB win.
Posted 23:34 21st November 2012
2rlock4 says...
I would rather play Priestland's Grandmother than Priestland atm, I have never seen a no. 10 in worse form!!! Why is still in the squad let alone starting!
Posted 14:37 21st November 2012
APV1 says...
I'm going to this match and really looking forward to it. The problem is, I don't know who to support.
On one hand I should support the NH team. But as an Englishman, I find supporting Wales terribly difficult.
Perhaps I'll just bring along an inflatable sheep and support both, eh..?!
;-)
Posted 12:38 21st November 2012
markpat says...
Whoever it was that said the scrum isn't a big part of NZ's game obviosuly didn't watch them manhandle Italy last week. They normally play their mobile front row, but last week's lineup was a monster at scrum time.
Posted 11:50 21st November 2012
bothhands says...
Is it just my imagination or is Warburton injury-prone?
Posted 04:16 21st November 2012
melkdave says...
Myself id have prefered Hook at FH ,rayher than Preistland ,who imohas totally blown his Lions chances I cant see anything but a NZ win tbh,and by a big margin aswell.50+ HAMMERING EVENas the NZ management have said they wont to beat Wales the most.
Posted 03:04 21st November 2012
ben7 says...
@jmanngod
And possibly numbers 9 and 11
That isn't far off the starting team from the 6 nations this year so close to a full strength team bar 2/3 players. Cant see Wales staying within 15 points to be honest. Hopefully i'm wrong
Posted 01:50 21st November 2012
three6three6 says...
Wales are still a quality team.... expect them to still be competitive... the player that they are missing the most is Lydiate.... but some of the others who are in the team have not been playing well. This is perhaps understandable with all of the players leaving Wales and with the regional sides playing without any real success.
Posted 00:27 21st November 2012
rugbybutten says...
In the highly unlikley situation that Wales should win this ARISE, SIR WARREN you saw it here first........
Posted 00:07 21st November 2012
rugbybutten says...
jmanngod.............thanks, you have just made up my mind......£10 on Wales to win. We are a bit thick, but I think Wales will think, if we think, I think we can win.. well thats my thought....I think
Posted 00:01 21st November 2012
Trader2 says...
passtheball
"Do you think Warren harbours thoughts of coaching the ABs in the future?" Are you serious, of course he does that will be burning uppermost in his mind, he is a Kiwi you know. It was good enough for
Sir GH, so once 2013 and 2015 is out of the way (and providing SH has lost a game or two by 2017) then it will be Gatland who will take the AB's to wherever in 2019 for sure.
Posted 23:24 20th November 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
ArmchairGeneral , I'm not sure how you can misinterpret that quote, English is your first language, innit?
Posted 23:22 20th November 2012
Kent says...
@rugby_rockstar - Good post mate
Posted 22:24 20th November 2012
NHsaints says...
Hmm...Priestland really has to do something special here or else Jones will have to be recalled until Biggar recovers, the forwards are looking as strong as they typically can and I'm sure wales will fight extra hard for Gatland but I 100% put my money on the All Blacks to win...Wales are really declining and probably rightly so are falling down the rankings rapidly.
Posted 21:37 20th November 2012
missionary says...
Not sure Ryan Jones is better than any 6 NZ has. Messam is coming into his work very nicely. NZ Scrum is one place where they will dominate. That Wales scrum looks to be one of the weakest on the international front right now. Like the Welsh back-line. It's up there with the best if they get good ball. Good balanced back-row. Going to be a cracker.
Posted 21:30 20th November 2012
Isograford says...
Crying shame we don't get to see Jamie Roberts take on Sonny Bill Williams.
Posted 20:32 20th November 2012
lowkeynz says...
Wales toured NZ in June 2010 for 2 tests (one in Hamilton, one in Dunedin). That's what he is referring to.
Posted 20:18 20th November 2012
dangerous says...
Can't argue with that team on paper having the goods. dont know alot about those props. I do believe Wales will play their best rugby against the all blacks. Regardless of previous results this will be tight.
Posted 18:27 20th November 2012
sneggy1983 says...
nice to see shingler making the match day squad why the hell did howley not select him beggers belief.
Posted 18:19 20th November 2012