Wales coach Warren Gatland has made two changes to his side for the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday and moved full-back Liam Williams to the wing.
Williams, one of the stars of the Welsh performance in the 39-21 first-Test defeat in Auckland last weekend, takes over the jersey vacated by the injured George North. Replacement Rhys Patchell is given the full-back berth.
Up front, midweek skipper Luke Charteris is recalled to the second row in place of Bradley Davies, who drops to the bench. Jake Ball is not included in the matchday 23.
Wales thumped by Chiefs as fringe players ‘answer their own questions’
“It is important we go out on Saturday with the confidence to play for 80 minutes in what will be another huge Test match,” said Gatland.
“We kept the ball and played well for periods of the first test and we need to convert that to the full 80. It will be another huge occasion in a packed-out stadium in Wellington and we are determined to build on our first-Test performance.”
The All Blacks, meanwhile, have made two changes to their stating XV for the second Test. Israel Dagg comes in at full-back and Ben Smith moves to the wing to take over from Julian Savea – dropped despite scoring his 39th Test try in Auckland.
Both Dagg and Smith will win their 50th caps, while fit-again lock Sam Whitelock will pick up his 74th when he returns in the second row alongside Brodie Retallick at the expense of Luke Romano.
Teams for New Zealand versus Wales, Wellington, Sunday:
New Zealand: I Dagg, W Naholo, M Fekitoa, R Crotty, B Smith, A Cruden, A Smith; J Moody, D Coles, O Franks, S Whitlock, B Retallick, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (captain).
Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, P Tuipulotu, A Savea, TJ Perenara, B Barrett, S Tamanivalu.
Wales: R Patchell (Cardiff Blues), L Williams (Scarlets), J Davies (Clermont), J Roberts (Harlequins), H Amos (Dragons), D Biggar (Ospreys), R Webb (Ospreys); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), K Owens (Scarlets), S Lee (Scarlets), L Charteris (Racing 92), A-W Jones (Ospreys), R Moriarty (Gloucester), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues), T Faletau (Dragons).
Replacements: S Baldwin (Ospreys), R Evans (Scarlets), T Francis (Exeter Chiefs), B Davies (Wasps), E Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), G Davies (Scarlets), G Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Scarlets).
Referee: J Peyper (South Africa).
0
0
0
