Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny, who picked up injuries in the opening defeat to Australia, are back in full training, as is Clermont Auvergne centre Jonathan Davies. All three men, according to attack coach Rob Howley, look set to press for selection against the world champions.
“Dan Biggar, Leigh Halfpenny and Jonathan Davies are back in training. Jonathan needs to go through some protocol with contact, but we are very hopeful that he will be up and running,” said Howley.
“He has worked particularly hard in training. Leigh has got his last protocol today regarding his head, but touch wood everything should be fine.”
With the talented trio back in shape it looks like being a troublesome week for the selectors. Liam Williams picked up the Man of the Match award in place of Halfpenny at full back last weekend and Scott Williams had a good game at centre.
“It’s good to have headaches. Experience is pretty important when you are playing the number one side in the world,” added Howley.
“We’ve got selection this evening and I’m sure it won’t be a short one. It will be a difficult selection meeting because we felt players put up their hands at the weekend, as well as players who have done well in recent games.
“Liam’s counter-attacking game, his ability to beat the first player and his positioning were very good against Fiji. It’s good to have a player in form like Liam against a world class goal-kicking Leigh Halfpenny, the British & Irish Lions ‘Man of the Series’ in 2013.
“Leigh has been as conscientious as ever over the last week since his injury. He has been doing his homework and I’m looking forward to the conversation tonight with the coaches.
“We can only select three players in the back three and international rugby is about getting your selection right. All the factors will be discussed and we need to pick the right side against a different New Zealand XV to the one that played against Scotland at the weekend.”
Scrum-half Rhys Webb is also expected to be fully fit to resume at No 9 following his neck sprain, while Richard Hibbard has return to the Welsh Squad after doing emergency duty for Gloucester off the bench in the LV= Cup at the weekend.
