by Nathan Parker
Date: Saturday, 25 November, 2017 (KO 17:15 GMTV)
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
It is has been almost 64 years since Wales last tasted victory against the All Blacks, and a total of 30 defeats in a row since that famous win in 1953. So, can they end the drought this coming Saturday? On the evidence of the Georgia performance, probably not.
After losing 29-21 to the Wallabies, who defeated the men in black a month prior to the match, Wales then limped to a 13-6 victory over a tier two nation who could have easily nicked a draw at the Principality Stadium. With four straight wins for New Zealand this autumn, you would think the tails will be up, but an unconvincing victory against Scotland last Saturday has the media questioning whether Steve Hansen has lost his touch.
New Zealand rugby’s most controversial journalist, Chris Rattue, declared a first Wales win over the All Blacks in 64 years is the wake-up call the Kiwi coaches and selectors need right now. He wrote in the New Zealand Herald: “You can smell the decay from here, as the rest of the world catches up to the All Blacks by standing still. They need a major jolt; the ones already delivered this year apparently not enough.”
If there were two names on the Welsh team sheet that the All Blacks would love scribble out, it would undoubtedly be The British and Irish Lions’ Man of the Series Jonathan Davies, who went through the Kiwis defence like a knife through butter in the summer, and attack minded full back Liam Williams, who’s 60 metre break in the First Lions Test at Eden Park created arguably the greatest ever try in Lions history. Fortunately for the away side they are both injured and will not feature on Saturday.
With not many players putting their hands up for selection in the poor showing against Georgia as well as the injuries suffered to key players, Warren Gatland has reverted to type by making 12 changes to his side.
“It’s great to name an unchanged pack from the Australia match, we were pleased with a lot of aspects of our second half performance in that match so we are looking to build on that on Saturday.
“We have a couple of injuries in the backline but we also have players on form starting. Steff Evans and Hallam Amos are both on form and we are excited to see what they can do”, Said the Kiwi Welsh Coach.
Alun Wyn Jones also returns as captain, Justin Tupuric has been named on the substitutes bench with Josh Navidi preferred on the blindside. Finally, Rhys Webb holds on to the number nine jersey, even though he will not be able to play in a Welsh shirt for three years after the end of the season, as a result of his move to Toulon.
On the other side of the coin, New Zealand have had their own problems with injuries as influential captain Kieran Read will miss out with a back issue and second row Sam Whitelock will take on the armband. On the upside for the All Blacks, World Rugby Player of the Year Nominee, Rieko Ioane, has recovered to take his place on the left wing.
“Read has hurt his back today. Perhaps associated with his hip flexor. Not very mobile at moment. Ioane is fixed and available. Got better and better through week with his shoulder,” said Hansen at his press conference.
It will take a monumental effort from Wales to end the All Blacks ‘hoodoo’ on Saturday evening but with an expected 75,000 supporters poised to descend on the Principality Stadium, the Welsh faithful will be looking to roar the home side to an historic victory against a team ranked number one in world rugby for eight years on the bounce.
Did You Know?
The tradition of singing national anthems before international matches began when Wales responded to the All Black’s Haka by singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau before their match in 1905.
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