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Home » Wales Change Nine for All Blacks Clash | Huge Rugby News
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Wales Change Nine for All Blacks Clash | Huge Rugby News

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Last updated: 09/05/2025 9:55 am
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Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made nine changes to his starting XV for his side’s Rugby World Cup third-place play-off against New Zealand in Japan on Friday.

The game will be Gatland’s final match in charge of the men in red as he prepares to let go of the reins after his 12-year stay. 

In the front-row Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis come in to join hooker Ken Owens, while Adam Beard returns to link-up with captain Alun Wyn Jones in the second-row, in what could be Jones’ final World Cup appearance. 

James Davies has been brought in as the blindside-flanker for Aaron Wainwright, who is struggling with a hamstring injury, with Justin Tipuric on the openside, and Ross Moriarty completes the forward pack from No 8. 

There is a completely new half-back pairing with Tomos Williams coming in at scrum-half and Rhys Patchell at fly-half, while Owen Watkin comes in to partner Jonathan Davies in the centre. 

The tournaments top try scorer Josh Adams continues on the left-wing as he looks to add to his six tries to date, with Owen Lane on the right and Hallam Amos at full-back. 

Wales’ line-up for the Bronze Final at #RWCTokyo Naw newid am y gêm olaf y prif hyfforddwr.​#NZLvWAL pic.twitter.com/mR3Tp1kL8J

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 30, 2024

There is a huge amount of experience on the bench for Gatland to call upon if needed with the likes of Jake Ball, Aaron Shingler, Dan Biggar and Hadleigh Parkes among the replacements. 

It was confirmed that as well as Wainwright, George North, Leigh Halfpenny and Tomas Francis were all not considered for the game due to different injury issues. 

Wales are hoping to give Gatland the perfect send off with a first win over the All Blacks, but they know that New Zealand will be out to avenge their poor performance from last week which saw them let go of their chance to win a third successive World Cup. 

Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.

Starting XV:

1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (34 Caps)

2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (72 Caps)

3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (21 Caps)

4. Adam Beard (Ospreys) (19 Caps)

5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (133 Caps) (CAPT)

6. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (71 Caps)






7. James Davies (Scarlets) (7 Caps)

8. Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (40 Caps)

9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues) (15 Caps)

10. Rhys Patchell (Scarlets) (18 Caps)

11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (20 Caps)

12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (21 Caps)

13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (80 Caps)

14. Owen Lane (Cardiff Blues) (1 Cap)

15. Hallam Amos (Cardiff Blues) (21 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (27 Caps)

17. Rhys Carre (Saracens) (4 Caps)

18. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (21 Caps)

19. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (41 Caps)

20. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (25 Caps)

21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (50 Caps)

22. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (78 Caps)

23. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (24 Caps)

TAGGED:All BlacksCardiff BluesDragonsFeaturedJapanNew ZealandNorthampton SaintsOspreysSaracensScarletsWales
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