Graham Henry said the Test against the current Six Nations champions would provide another major challenge for the All Blacks.
“As we all know, Wales are a very good team. They play an expansive style of attacking rugby and have talent across the park, so it’s shaping up to be another classic encounter,” he said.
Prop Tony Woodcock was given the all-clear to play by a Six Nations Disciplinary committee on Wednesday evening. They rule that despite the player’s admission that he had struck an Ireland player, no further action was neccesary.
Wales and the All Blacks have met on 23 occasions, with the last Test in Cardiff in 2006, which the All Blacks won 45 -10.
Wales and the All Blacks have met 23 times, with the last Test in Cardiff in 2006, which the All Blacks won 45-10. Wales will start with the same team that lost to South Africa.
Wales: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt), Martyn Williams (Blues), Andy Powell (Blues).
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, John Yapp, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Dwayne Peel, James Hook/Dan Biggar, Andrew Bishop.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Joe Rokocoko, Richard Kahui, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata/John Afoa, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Rodney So’oialo.
Replacements: Hikawera Elliot, TBC, Anthony Boric, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava.
