New Zealand v Wales First Test Preview

The first of the Big June Internationals kicks off in Auckland New Zealand where Rugby World Cup champion All Blacks host Wales.

The All Blacks have not played together as a unit since last October when they beat Australia in the world cup final.

This match is the first of three Tests between New Zealand and Wales over the coming three weekends.

Wales have had better preparation as they have played have already played six Test matches this year. However they came second in the Six Nations and lost 27-13 to a second string England team two weeks ago.

For Wales to come close to the All Blacks they will have to put that loss to England well and truly out of their minds and perform to their absolute best. They can’t be completely written off as historically the All Blacks have been rusty in theit first match of the year.

Two years ago England came within a point of New Zealand in Dunedin before being beaten by 23 points in the second test. Clearly then Wales’ best chance is to shock the All Blacks in the opening test.

Wales have however not beaten New Zealand since 1953 and have lost their last 26 matches to the All Blacks.

Making matters worse for Wales is that the first Test is at Eden Park in Auckland where the All Blacks have not lost a Test since 1994.

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has named Chiefs No.10 Aaron Cruden as his playmaker while Kieran Read wins his tenth cap as captain.

One other key feature of the squad is the naming of two new players, loose forward Ardie Savea and midfielder Seta Tamanivalu, who could make their All Blacks Test debuts off the bench.

Wales have named Sam Warburton as captain for this match and this will be his first match in six weeks due to a shoulder injury. Wales have made five personnel changes from their last outing with captain Warburton returning from injury to the starting XV alongside Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Bradley Davies and Jonathan Davies.

Uncapped flanker Ellis Jenkins is named on the replacements bench.

The Bookies have given Wales an 18 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $200 in Bonus bets.

This Match will be shown on TV in NZ (Sky), Aus (Fox Sports), SA (SuperSport) and in the UK on Sky Sports.

Average score: New Zealand 31 Wales 10

Last five results
Sat, 22 Nov 2014 NZL v WAL 34-16 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sat, 24 Nov 2012 NZL v WAL 33-10 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sat, 27 Nov 2010 NZL v WAL 37-25 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sat, 26 Jun 2010 NZL v WAL 29-10 Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Sat, 19 Jun 2010 NZL v WAL 42-9 Carisbrook, Dunedin

New Zealand’s overall record against Wales
Played 30, Wins 27 , Losses 3 , Draws 0

Date : Sat Jun 11 2016
Venue : Eden Park, Auckland
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant Ref 1:Jaco Peyper (South Africa),
Assistant Ref 2:Will Houston (Australia)
TMO : TBA

Teams

New Zealand

15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody.

Replacements : 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Seta Tamanivalu.

Wales

15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Gethin Jenkins.

Replacements : 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Ellis Jenkins, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Scott Williams.