New Zealand v Wales Second Test Preview

The All Blacks will end Wales’ hopes of a series victory if they win this weekend’s match between New Zealand and Wales in Wellington on Saturday.

Wales caught the All Blacks offgaurd in last week’s series opening Test when they scored the first try of the match and few had expected Wales to be level with the world champions at half time.

The All Blacks kicked into gear in the second half and although Wales held them for almost 60 minutes they could not hold back the tide for long enough and the All Blacks won the match 39-21. The score line does not reflect how hard the All Blacks had to work for the win.

History suggests that the opening Test was Wales’ best chance of beating the All Blacks as the team generally improves in the second Test which makes Wales task of ending a 27 match losing streak a lot tougher.

Welsh confidence will have taken a knock this week as their mid-week team were well beaten by a second string Chiefs team on Tuesday. While it was a midweek team it did feature Test captain Sam Warburton and Toby Faletau.

For this week’s Test Wales have made two changes as Rhys Patchell and Luke Charteris come into the starting side. George North’s injury sees twenty-three-year-old Patchell coming into the side at fullback which pushes Liam Williams to the wing for North.

Patchell played against the Chiefs earlier this week so he is one of three players who will have played in three matches over the space of 7 days – with Faletau and Warburton.

In the forwards Luke Charteris comes in for Bradley Davies in the second with Davies dropping to the bench.

The All Blacks have taken the bold move of dropping winger Julian Savea and moving regular fullback Ben Smith to the wing and starting Israel Dagg at fullback. In there are just two changes to the side that played last week.

Dagg has been in fine form for the Crusaders since his return from injury and although he missed the Rugby World Cup last year this week he will win his 50th cap so there is no lack of experience. Coincidentally Ben Smith will also be winning his 50th cap.

Last week was the All Blacks first match together since October last year so this week they will be a lot more settled which suggests that Wales will be lucky to lose by a smaller margin than last week’s 18 points.

The Bookies have given Wales a 21 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $200 in Bonus bets. The All Blacks should win this by 23 or more.

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 11

Last five results
Sat, 11 Jun 2016 NZL v WAL 39-21 Eden Park, Auckland
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

New Zealand’s overall record against Wales
Played 31, Wins 28 , Losses 3, Draws 0

Date : Saturday 18 Jun 2016
Venue : Westpac Stadium Wellington
Kick Off local: 19.35
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant Ref 1:Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant Ref 2:Wayne Barnes (England)
TMO : George Ayoub (Australia)

Teams

New Zealand

15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 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 Rhys Patchell, 14 Liam Williams, 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 Luke Charteris, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Gethin Jenkins

Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Bradley Davies, 20 Ellis Jenkins, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Scott Williams