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Wales host New Zealand at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:30am (AEDT).
For the All Blacks, this will be their last game in the Northern Hemisphere before next year’s World Cup and the last opportunity to have a look at players and combinations in these conditions.
For Wales it sees a massive opportunity to score a huge psychological boost heading into the 2015 tournament and to finally put to rest over sixty years of heartache.
Wales have always had the talent and have favourable results from the six nations to prove it but for whatever reason, and many believe it mental, they are unable to compete regularly with the Southern Hemisphere giants and, in particular, the All Blacks.
Warren Gatland has certainly named a strong side for the match today with ten British and Irish Lions to confront their nemesis today. The backline has a particularly strong look to it with Jamie Roberts and Johnathan Davies forming an imposing midfield and plenty of strike power out wide in Alex Cuthbert and George North backed up by a high quality fullback in Leigh Halfpenny.
A talented halves pairing of Dan Bigger and Rhys Webb round off a very good backline and if their forwards can lay a decent foundation will present many problems for the All Blacks defence.
Wales will be led by Sam Warburton from openside and forms a very good loose forward trio with Toby Faletau and Dan Lydiate. The tight five again has a very solid look to it with Alun Wyn Jones and Jake Ball forming the starting locks and the front row of Samson Lee, Richard Hibbard and Paul James completes the starting team.
With such names as Mike Phillips, Luke Charteris and James Hook on the bench, the Welsh have plenty of experience and quality to call upon during the match and will certainly back themselves to get the job done this morning and earn their place in local rugby legend.
Despite another long year for many of the playing group, the All Blacks will not lack for motivation in this match as Richie McCaw will lead this team for the 100th time as Skipper and the team will not want to put in a special performance to mark his achievement.
Steve Hansen has named a strong team to help in this regard, with arguably the strongest forward pack available named to start with the only debatable position sees Jerome Kaino beating out Liam Messam who is on the bench for the blindside flanker role.
Beauden Barrett has won the race for the starting five eighth role for this match in a selection that has taken a few by surprise and also quite surprising is the selection of the versatile Colin Slade to cover this pivotal position from the bench, beating out the more experienced Aaron Cruden and Dan Carter.
Another surprise decision sees Ben Smith retain the fullback jersey from last week, keeping Israel Dagg in the stands and the exciting Charles Piatau is afforded another starting opportunity on the right wing in a selection many believe will be the right wing for the World Cup.
A predictably strong bench will ensure the All Blacks have plenty of firepower to call upon as this match progresses.
A highly entertaining spectacle lies in wait for us this morning and buoyed by the marvellous Welsh crowd and their famous singing, the Welsh will throw the kitchen sink into this match and what I am predicting to be a tense and gripping affair.
Join in as I cover the match live and leave your thoughts and opinions on the thread below.
Tip: All Blacks by 8.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.