New Zealand ring the changes for Wales clash

David Skippers

New Zealand's Kieran Read (centre) during the 2019 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match at International Stadium Yokohama. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday October 26, 2019. See PA story RUGBYU England. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Strictly no commercial use or association. Still image use only. Use implies acceptance of RWC 2019 T&Cs (in particular Section 5 of RWC 2019 T&Cs) at URL: bit.ly/2knOId6

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has rung the changes to his starting line-up for Friday’s Rugby World Cup Bronze Final with Wales in Tokyo. 

There are eight changes in all – including a positional switch – to the run-on side which featured in the 19-7 semi-final defeat to England in Yokohama on Saturday.

The match will be a momentous occasion for captain and number eight Kieran Read, inside centre Sonny Bill Williams and right wing Ben Smith, who will all retire from Test rugby after the match.

In the backline, Smith and Rieko Ioane come in on the wings as replacements for Sevu Reece and George Bridge while Williams and Ryan Crotty take over from Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue as the midfield combination.

In the forwards, Read is joined in the back-row by Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell, who come in for Ardie Savea and Sam Whitelock, with Scott Barrett shifting to the second-row.

The final change is in the front-row where Dane Coles is preferred to Codie Taylor. There are also alterations on the replacements bench with Liam Coltman, Atu Moli, Matt Todd and Brad Weber the new faces in the matchday squad.

Hansen said: “This was a tough team to select because, as always, everyone wanted to play. But with a short turnaround and the nature of the tournament, we feel that this is the right team for this occasion.

“There’s been a lot of external talk around this being the game that no one wants to play. However, from our point of view, we can’t wait to play it.

“Everyone in the squad – players and management – are motivated by the opportunity to show that our last performance wasn’t at the high standard that we know we can play at.

“This is a Test match against an opposition that will also be keen to make a statement. Therefore, we will need to turn up with real attitude, intent and work ethic, and then execute our skill sets to the highest level possible. The game will be physical and fast as both teams will look to play to their strengths. We are looking forward to it and can’t wait.

“Whilst none of us – players, management or fans – got the result we wanted at this tournament, this is another opportunity for us to wear the jersey and represent our country with pride.

“On behalf of the All Blacks, we’d like to thank our fans for all their ongoing, unconditional support. It’s something that we never take for granted and is greatly appreciated by us all within the team.”

New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Atu Moli, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Jordie Barrett

Date: Friday, November 1
Venue: Tokyo Stadium
Kick-off: 18:00 local (09:00 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Pascal Gaüzère (France)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

[jwplayer EWweue4b-KtOROyIZ]

New Zealand