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Preview of the first Test between New Zealand and Wales.
Saturday, June 11, 7:35pm
All Blacks vs Wales at Eden Park
Head-to-head: All Blacks 27, Wales 3
Last clash: All Blacks 34 Wales 16, at Millennium Stadium, November 22, 2014
The All Blacks have their first outing since retaining the World Cup and the departure of a clutch of experienced campaigners, including all-time greats Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. Wales have been boosted by the return from injury of skipper Sam Warburton, but will have history firmly against them – their last win over New Zealand was in 1953.
Keys: The Welsh can be expected to use their highly experienced duo of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies to target the opposition midfield and there are likely to be high-ball tests for the All Blacks’ back three. But New Zealand’s pace of play and finishing power out wide should prove decisive on a ground where they haven’t lost since 1994.
Friday night footy!
» New longform: ‘Rugby is a game, not a trade’: Australia’s first rugby Test against England
» Essendon vs Hawthorn: Friday Night Forecast
» The mid-year All Australian team: Rose and Ryan compare notes
» The June internationals Talking Points: Now that’s a centre pairing!
» Ben McCalman and Will Skelton unlucky to miss Wallaby selection
New Zealand
Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Seta Tamanivalu.
Wales
Liam Williams, George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton (capt), Ross Moriarty, Alun Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies, Samson Lee, Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins. Reserves: Scott Baldwin, Rob Evans, Tomas Francis, Jake Ball, Ellis Jenkins, Gareth Davies, Gareth Anscombe, Scott Williams.
Tip: All Blacks by 20 points
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.