Rugby’s Autumn Internationals, Wales vs. New Zealand
All Blacks are ready to take on Wales in their final match of the current tour of Northern Hampshire. They are now only one victory away from one more Grand Slam.
If they beat Wales, which seems likely based on their current performance, it will be their 2nd Grand Slam of the year. They have won Tri Nations early this year. Moreover, it will be the All Blacks’s 3rd clean sweep on their tour of
Britain in the last 5 years.
The match will be played at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff this Saturday.
Past Record
All Blacks’ past record is far better than Wales in the Rugby Union matches between the countries.
Both teams have played 27 matches in their 105 years long rugby relationship. All Blacks have won 24 matches out of those 27 matches, while Wales has only won 3.
Interestingly, Wales has not been able to beat All Blacks since December 1953, which is almost 57 years now.
All Blacks record at Millennium Stadium is also far better than Wales. Both teams have played 6 matches here before this match and All Blacks won all the matches.
All Blacks’ current form
All Blacks, who are holding the number 1 rank in the International Rugby Board’s ratings, is in very good form throughout the year. They have won 12 matches out of 13 matches they have played during the year. They have only lost to the Wallabies last month.
They have won all 3 of their matches on the tour of British Isles. First they beat England in their opening match, and then 2 more victories came against Scotland and Ireland. They won all their matches with a very convincing margin and never gave any real
chance to their opponent to put them under pressure.
Wales’ current form
On the other hand Wales’ recent form is not up to the mark. They were not able to win even a single match against the touring teams during this month.
They first lost to the Wallabies early this month and their 2nd defeat came against South Africa. They were not able to give a tough time to their companions.
Their worst performance came in the match against a lower ranked team Fiji last week, where the match ended in a draw.
Graham Henry’s goal
All Blacks coach Graham Henry, who has also coached Wales in 36 matches, said that he has only one goal in his mind this weekend and that is,
"I would like to see us smash the Welsh really, because I am coaching New Zealand now and it's the final game of the series and we want to make a statement”.
Few people believe that it will be a very easy encounter for All Blacks and they will thrash Wales very convincingly. But Henry is of the view that although Wales is out of form, they are a talented side, which can show you on their day what they are.
All Blacks’ team changes
All Blacks’ hooker Keven Mealamu, who was banned from rugby for 2 weeks due to a clash with England’s captain Lewis Moody, has made his come back and joined the team again.
Lock Brad Thom has also returned to the team after he missed the last game against Ireland due to injury. It will be his 50th international test match.
Sonny Bill Williams, Isaia Toeava and jimmy Cowan have also been included in the starting 15.
Wales’ team changes
Wales’ coach Warren Gatland has also made 9 changes in his squad, which played against Fiji last week. Gatland has also made 2 positional changes. Ryan Jones will play at No.8 instead of blind side flanker and Tom James will play as wing.
Our Opinion
On the basis of the All Blacks current good form, we can say that it will not be a very difficult game for them and undoubtedly they are only 1 step away from another Grand Slam.
Teams (15-1)
Wales :Lee Byrne; George North, Tom Shanklin, James Hook, Tom James; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Ryan Jones, Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate; Alun-Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies; Adam Jones, Matthew Rees (capt), Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: Huw Bennett, Paul James, Jonathan Thomas, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Richie Rees, Andrew Bishop
New Zealand : Mils Muliaina; Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear; Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino; Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn; Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock
Replacements: Andrew h**e, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald, Ma'a Nonu
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