Wayne Pivac’s side will begin their four-match autumn series with a meeting with the All Blacks in Cardiff on October 30 before South Africa, Fiji and Australia follow on consecutive weekends.
New Zealand – now coached by Ian Foster – claimed Rugby Championship glory this summer, losing only one game in the tournament to 2019 Rugby World Cup winners South Africa.
Adams was the top try-scorer at both the last World Cup and in this summer’s Lions series in the land of the Springboks. Now New Zealand are next in his sights.
Click here, to buy tickets to Wales’ autumn internationals
“I am thoroughly looking forward to it if I get the opportunity,” said the 26-year-old, who has 17 tries in 32 Tests for Wales. “To play against the All Blacks anywhere is pretty special.
“Historically, they have been the best team in the world for a number of years. I was lucky enough to get a game against them out in Japan in the bronze medal match.
“Building on from where we’ve come from in the Six Nations and through the summer, we need to keep on improving and there is no better challenge than facing the All Blacks.
Building on from where we’ve come from in the Six Nations and through the summer, we need to keep on improving and there is no better challenge than facing the All Blacks
“For the lads who get the opportunity, maybe their family have never witnessed the All Blacks live or seen the Haka and things like that. To have a capacity crowd back is unbelievable.
“Every campaign is important, especially now with two years leading up to the World Cup. I think there are four campaigns before we get to France so each one needs to be better than the last.
“It is vitally important we keep improving aspects of our game that we really want to focus on. If we can implement that in these games against top-quality opposition, it’s going to be important.
“We have got some injuries unfortunately, but that’s rugby. It is a great opportunity to see where we are in terms of the depth chart.”
Josh Adams of Wales
Wales head coach Pivac has seen the likes of Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi and James Botham ruled out of the autumn series due to injury.
Liam Williams is also recovering from having surgery to remove his appendix.
But Adams said: “With the biggest challenge comes the biggest rewards. Why not think of it like that?
“We’re maybe not at full strength, but everyone selected in the coaches’ eyes is good enough.
“What better challenge for someone who hasn’t faced one of the big southern hemisphere countries before to face the All Blacks?
“When you get that opportunity against the All Blacks you want to show up as a team and that’s our mentality. It’s a massive challenge, but I’m buzzing for it.”
Wales players in training ahead of facing New Zealand
Adams continued: “I know that energy is going through the whole squad and we’re all looking forward to it.
“The Six Nations is an unbelievable tournament in its own right and we have a good record in that, but showing up in the autumn when we play these big teams and beating them is a fantastic statement to put down. All the other nations playing this autumn will look to do that.
“The autumn is special. It’s not often you get the big three over to play – especially with Covid in the last couple of years, we’ve not played them at all.
“It’ll be a massive statement if we can get some victories this autumn.”
Ticket details for Wales’ autumn fixtures:
Wales v New Zealand, Principality Stadium – Saturday 30th October SOLD-OUT
Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium – Saturday 6th November CAT A £75 (£37.50) / CAT B £65 (£32.50) / CAT C £45 (£22.50)
Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium – Sunday 14th November CAT A £35 (£17.50) / CAT B £25 (£12.50) / CAT C £20 (£10)
Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium – Saturday 20th November CAT A £75 (£37.50) / CAT B £65 (£32.50) / CAT C £45 (£22.50)
For the first time, concession tickets are available in ALL categories for ALL matches across the series (shown in brackets).
CLICK HERE To buy tickets
It’ll be a massive statement if we can get some victories this autumn
