Richard Kahui is the only change to face Wales on Saturday

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has made one change to his side for Saturday's Test against Wales, with Richard Kahui replacing injured centre Conrad Smith.

Prop Tony Woodcock was cleared at a disciplinary of punching Ireland hooker Rory Best last weekend and will start.

Woodcock admitted foul play but his act was not deemed worthy of a red card.

Meanwhile, replacement hooker Corey Flynn has been ruled out of the rest of New Zealand's tour after suffering a broken left arm against Ireland.

His place on the bench against Wales will be taken by Hikawera Elliott.

A decision on whether to summon a tour replacement for the match with England on 29 November will be made after this weekend's game in Cardiff.

Smith is the only change from the side that beat Ireland 22-3 at Croke Park, after limping out with a groin injury.

Henry said the Test against the current Six Nations champions would provide another major challenge for the All Blacks.

"As we all know, Wales are a very good team," he said.

"They play an expansive style of attacking rugby and have talent across the park, so it's shaping up to be another classic encounter."

Wales and the All Blacks have met 23 times, with the last Test in Cardiff in 2006, which the All Blacks won 45-10.

Wales will start with the same team that lost to South Africa.

Wales: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt), Martyn Williams (Blues), Andy Powell (Blues).
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, John Yapp, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Dwayne Peel, James Hook/Dan Biggar, Andrew Bishop.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Joe Rokocoko, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Rodney So'oialo.
Replacements: Hikawera Elliot, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version