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.
woodart
Guest
well maybe,, but steve hansen will have a list of work-ons for the players to digest with their christmas dinners.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
You are safe 44, just won't happen ...
44bottles
Roar Guru
Don't think he has the quality. He was never a great 10 at Super level. Not sure. Maybe he will fire with a beastly backline and pack in front of him and Wales will go on to win the World Cup. Just to stick it to me. :)
purerugby
Guest
I get all my Rugby here now - streaming is excellent - sometimes a little bit of bufferring but mostly pretty good - no ads except for half time - pleanty of channels to choose too - tops when you consider what you have to pay for Fox in Aus!! http://www.drakulastream.eu/rugby-live-streaming-video.html
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Wonder how Gareth Anscombe will handle the hot seat when his chance comes.
Wardad
Guest
Mate I had concocted an awesomely cunnin'' plan that included the wordls biggest box of choccies , a mariachii band and some flowers [ post game delirium ?] If as predicted all went pear shaped the choccies would provide enough delay to escape South of the border via the band as cover ,failing my escape I could be shoved into the by now empty box with flowers on top and the band to play the last post !
Wardad
Guest
umm nope ...
Wardad
Guest
20 minutes of stoppage in the first half ,including time off so the Welsh hooker could try his hair ! I suppose were lucky we didnt have to wait for him to rinse and set it while mummy ran off to find his fave hair dryer ! Strangely enough we see very little stoppage time when say NZ and Australia play ,now why would that be one wonders ?
Gregus
Guest
youre not wrong .......why is A Ellis always overlooked ....easily outplays Perenara and kerr-barlow as well
Jokerman
Guest
Wow, that was close. Great last 10 minutes. It looked as if Wales may get there for a moment and with Barnes reffing I wanted a 4 point cushion. You know Barnes could easily find something at the end. I didn't feel Wales would score a try again. Their first one was well deserves but you got the feeling a kinda of one off.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
This current All Blacks side has seven world player of the year trophies. That makes you feel pretty content heading into a world cup year where exp and class will be crucial.
DSF
Guest
oto BB isnt great on defence and is just as shaky as dagg, BB needs to nail a position soon otherwise he'll be the next toeava. Id like to see BB trialled at 12.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
The scoreline reflected the All Blacks dominance in the second half.
44bottles
Roar Guru
It's not as much what he did wrong, as what he didn't do IMO. He just seems to shovel it on a lot or telegraph his moves. He is has a great running game, and it makes him far more potent and effective for the side coming off the bench. He improved dramatically when Slade went into 10 and he had a bit more freedom playing at 15. He gets similar freedom playing 10 against tired opposition. Similar things happened in the 2nd test v SA. He shovelled the ball on for a lot of the game, didn't provide a huge attacking threat early. Only just checked this thread so I will need to check the people "get[ing] up at Beuden Barrett," but it depends on what they said. If they felt that he is a good future option, but should remain as the bench 10 at first, then I think it's a reasonable statement to make. But slamming him for a single game is just wrong.
44bottles
Roar Guru
I think the problem with Wales is they lack a decent 10. All their other players throughout are either outstanding, great or good in their positions, except 10, which is one of the key positions. Their forward pack is strong, relatively balanced backrow (someone else suggested maybe switching Tipuric for Lydiate) with some great players (eg. Warburton, AWJ, Hibbard). Backline is massive with skill throughout, (North a beast, Roberts powerful, Davies more balanced, Cuthbert try scoring machine, Halfpenny brilliant with the boot) but I barely know their 10 or how he plays. A world class 10 could take them a long way. (Eg. Sexton when he was with, what was pretty much an all Welsh, Lions team.
Bobbo7
Guest
Funny stuff, I was the same after last years Ellis Park game with SA. Could not sleep but did not dare stir the missus.
In Brief
Guest
I remember back in the 1991 World Cup half the Samoan team was sent off and the English players were barely penalised.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
Yea, cos Andy and Jimmy never back chat the ref !!!! (agree in principle tho)
lassitude
Guest
His decision making was poor. He doesn't look like he has time when under defence that tight - unlike Cruden or Carter- and gets flustered. Right at the moment I'd say Slade is our best 5/8. Somewhat moot - since that's it for the season.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Haha! ... be brave ... dare ya!