ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Thursday Nov 3, 2022

Debuts and returning stars for the Wales Vs All Blacks clash

The Autumn Nations Series is finally upon us, with a littering of world-class superstars ready to take to the big stage it’s going to be a fantastic few weeks.

ADVERTISEMENT

Announced this morning were the lineups for the Wales Vs New Zealand match taking place on Saturday. The Principality Stadium will play host to the contest and is able to seat up to 74,500 spectators.

Despite being very far from home and being doubted by many, the All Blacks are still the overwhelming favourites to win their first game of the series. The world cup is still a year away, so with a solid record this autumn, the All Blacks still have every opportunity to get the fans back on their side before crunch time next year.

The big news in the All Blacks lineup is that all three Barrett brothers will be back in action for their national side, albeit with a slight change in position. Scott Barrett remains in his normal position of second-row, however the other siblings change up slightly in the backline.

Jordie Barrett has been utilised predominately as a fullback for the All Blacks in the past, however head coach Ian Foster has elected to install him at inside-centre. Many people including Hurricanes coach Jason Holland prefer to see Barrett at 12, and it now appears that Foster could be looking at this possibility going forward.

“I like him at 12,” said Holland. “I think he’s just as much a 12 as he is a 15. We played him at 12 last season and think he’s got an awesome skillset. He’s probably one of the guys that gives you the go-forward, to let people around [him] play really well. His skillset and the fact he’s quite a tough bugger makes him a pretty good 12 for me.”

“It’s still a bit of both,” Holland added. “It’s always going to be what’s best for the team, but generally, I think Jordie Barrett’s best spot is at 12.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jordie Barrett (@jordie_barrett)

ADVERTISEMENT

With the 15 shirt now going begging and the 10 shirt being held onto so confidently by Richie Mo’unga, there’s now the opportunity for older brother, Beauden Barrett, to secure the fullback spot. Having played at 15 for decent amount of his career, Beauden will be no stranger to the position.

On the opposite side of the field there is a return for the great Leigh Halfpenny, as he returns to the starting lineup for the first time in well over a year. Also returning are Ken Owens and Justin Tipuric after a long injury-ridden absence for both players.

“It’s great having Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric and Leigh Halfpenny back,” said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.

“They bring a lot of experience and they are big-game players. Playing New Zealand doesn’t get much bigger so we’re really looking forward to having them back in the side.

“New Zealand is going to play with speed, we know that. The roof is closed so we’re looking forward to a fast, open game and I think Justin brings that extra bit of speed to the number six jersey. So the combination [of Tipuric, Reffell and Faletau] we think will work well.”

Leigh Halfpenny injury

There’s also a debut for Dragons winger Rio Dyer, as he makes his debut against the former world champions.

“Rio has fitted in really well and really quickly. He’s thriving in this environment. He’s a young man that’s bringing some form with him into camp. He scored some great tries and he’s full of confidence.

“That means a lot to a young guy playing his first Test match in front of a big crowd. There’s no better way to start your career so we wish him well.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by RugbyPass (@rugbypass)

Wales: Halfpenny; Rees-Zammit, North, Tompkins, Dyer; Anscombe, T Williams; Thomas, Owens, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, Tipuric, Reffell, Faletau.

Replacements: Elias, Smith, Lewis, Alun Wyn Jones, Tshiunza, Hardy, Priestland, Watkin.

ADVERTISEMENT

New Zealand: B Barrett; Reece, R Ioane, J Barrett, Clarke; Mo’unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Whitelock (capt), S Barrett, Frizell, Papali’i, Savea.

Replacements: Taukei’aho, Tu’ungafasi, Newell, Vaa’i, A Ioane, Weber, Havili, Lienert-Brown.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (RFU) & Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

Related Articles

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Lions To Face The Best Of Australia And New...

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Former England captain joins Matt Hancock...

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Alex Lozowski embraces opposition player...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Incredible Camera Work During URC Clash Shows Rugby Player’s Athleticism

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Heart Breaking Six Nations Ending For Italy As Scotland Score Long Range Try

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Montpellier Number Eight Zach Mercer Outlandish Attacking Skill

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Damian Penaud Pulls Off a "van der Merwe" in Outrageous French Try

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland Winger James Lowe With World Class Finish In Titanic Battle With France

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Italian player cops nine week ban following on field bust up

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Close Up Angle Of La Rochelle Secondrow Will Skelton Laying Into Opposition

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Referee Luke Pearce Gets Hit Hard In Harlequins vs Saracens Clash

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Owen Farrell On The Receiving End Of An Illegal Hit

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Refereeing Legend Nigel Owens Breaks Down Freddie Steward Incident

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Sevens magic as 'headed' try brings stadium to its feet

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Almost 35,000 have now signed petition to reverse new grassroots tackle laws

View All

Funnies

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Whole Irish squad turn up to teammates parents house for drinking session

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonathan Sexton Fantastic Comeback Caught On Ref Mic

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Hilarious Footage Of English Players Post Leg Day Workout

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mack Hansen leaves viewers in stitches with hilarious post-match interview mistake

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    A Look Back At Rugby’s Greatest Ever Film

View All

Amateur

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 35 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 35 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 35 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Italian player cops nine week ban following on field bust up

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Youth and experience combine in an effort to repeat Six Nations upset

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wales international releases emotional statement after being offered contract that isn’t enough to feed family

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea causes outrage with ‘throat slitting’ gesture

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Smith, Marchant and Murley released from England camp to take part in 'Big Game 14'

View All