One factor that will most likely suit the Welsh is the weather, with a chilly, wet and breezy afternoon forecast for Principality Stadium. That means any deficiencies on attack may be balanced out and a strong defensive display could keep them in the game.
Jordie Barrett was named at second-five eighth in one of three significant changes to the All Blacks side that played against Japan.
Barrett has been preferred at fullback by coach Ian Foster but started and excelled at second five-eighth in the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship win over the Wallabies at Eden Park in September. That performance has been rewarded.
Elsewhere, Codie Taylor starts at hooker and Aaron Smith will start the game at halfback, with Brad Weber offering support from the bench.
For Wales, former Blues star Gareth Anscombe starts in the No 10 jersey after captain Dan Biggar was ruled out of Wales’ home series this month by a knee injury.
George North will partner Nick Tompkins in the centres for a fourth successive test while Leigh Halfpenny makes his first start after knee ligament damage 16 months ago in his 100th Wales test.
The teams:
All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali’i, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock (captain), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Akira Ioane, Brad Weber, David Havili, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer, Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Taulupe Faletau, Tommy Reffell, Justin Tipuric (captain), Adam Beard, Will Rowlands, Toms Francis, Ken Owens, Gareth Thomas. Reserves: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Alun Wyn Jones, Christ Tshiunza, Kieran Hardy, Rhys Priestland, Owen Watkin.
Odds:
All Blacks: $1.30
Wales: $3.60
Draw: $21.00
Match officials:
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Gianluca Gnecchi (France)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Last five tests:
2021: All Blacks 54 Wales 16, Cardiff
2019: All Blacks 40 Wales 17, Tokyo
2017: All Blacks 33 Wales 18, Cardiff
2016: All Blacks 46 Wales 6, Dunedin
2016: All Blacks 36 Wales 22, Wellington
Form (last five tests):
All Blacks: W, W, W, W, L Wales: L, W, L, W, W
The Weather:
BBC weather forecasters are predicting a crisp 11-degree afternoon in Cardiff with an approximately 50 per cent chance of rain amidst a moderate breeze. Luckily, the roof will be closed at Principality Stadium.
Catching the action:
The Herald will be live blogging the test, while radio commentary is running live on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and on iHeartRadio.
The match is screening on Sky Sport 1 and live streaming on Sky Sport Now from 4am. Crucially, Sky Sport 1 will air a replay of the match from 6:45am on Sunday morning, with Prime free-to-air doing the same from midday.
