The All Blacks have taken a win over Wales and claimed an uncatchable 2-0 win in their three-Test series with a 12-point victory at Eden Park on Saturday.
REPORT: ALL BLACK CLINCH SERIES
Final score
New Zealand 36
Wales 22
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Last weekend Wales achieved their best ever result against the All Blacks in New Zealand when they lost by 18 points. The visitors genuinely challenged the hosts for an hour, but can they be similarly competitive again? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:35pm (AEST).
Wales were embarrassed 40-7 by the Chiefs midweek and face an All Blacks side that is unlikely to repeat several of the basic errors made in the first Test. However, captain Sam Warburton and second-rower Luke Charteris are the only players to retain their places from Tuesday’s rout in the Welsh side.
Wales have made two changes to their starting XV from the first Test. Charteris replaces Bradley Davies at lock and Rhys Patchell starts at full-back after George North’s injury, with Liam Williams moving to the wing.
The loss of North is a major setback given his outstanding display in Auckland. Williams will be looking to have another blinder.
Patchell has played twice previously in 2013. It is the first time Warren Gatland has selected a Scarlets’ back three.
On the bench, Bradley Davies takes Jake Ball’s place after the lock limped off the pitch in Hamilton.
Ellis Jenkins pulled out of the game against the Chiefs with a tight thigh but he has recovered to feature among the replacements.
Ross Moriarty was another late withdrawal at FMG Stadium due to soreness, but he too is on the bench in Wellington, as is Rhys Priestland who replaces the injured Kiwi-born Gareth Anscombe.
The All Blacks have made two changes from Eden Park. Julian Savea has been dropped after the worst performance of his career and is replaced by his roommate Israel Dagg. Dagg returns for the first time since 2014 and celebrates his 50th Test along with Ben Smith who is moved to the right wing. Waisake Naholo, who has scored a double in his last three games, shifts over to the left wing.
Sam Whitelock is recalled at lock for his 74th cap with Luke Romano dropped altogether.
Patrick Tuipulotu stays on the bench, a bench that had a major bearing on the game last weekend. Nathan Harris has scored two tries in two Tests, Ardie Savea added much energy and Seta Tamanivalu may get longer than six minutes.
Prediction
Wales will be better than what they were against the Chiefs, but it’s hard not to see a similar outcome to the first Test.
New Zealand by 15.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Watch the match at Ellis in 14. He's done that a few times with the Canes as well, failed to fire, but lately deserves another shot. Plus DC and Cruden have been keeping him off the start line, as he has himself by being such a great sub!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Naholo worries me for his decision making... I might be selling the young guy short and while Hansen and co will try to develop him, he needs players he can rely on doing the right thing under pressure.... does Waisake Naholo have that potential?
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
...'two' tries even ..
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah agree with that Kia, been a Williams fan for some time now, and Halfpenny must be the most unused talent I've ever seen. So frustrating watching test after test where he just sat back, kicked and tackled.
richard
Guest
I said that earlier but having seen them play Australia I am not so sure.
Bobby Gibbins
Guest
Roll on 2018...
Jack
Guest
Midfield is a turnstile right now
Jack
Guest
Yeah, they just got hammered by England
Jack
Guest
Lol
Winston
Guest
Such a bummer we aren't playing England this year.
Sqn Cdr The Lord Flashheart
Guest
To me that was a pretty awful game by the ABs. They were dominated stats wise throughout. They also let in those last two tries. Seti is not test quality, the midfield is crap. But with ten or so minutes of brilliance they win. But man that should be over the entire 80 min. In the dry clean atmos of Dunedin, they better do better.
Old Bugger
Guest
Naholo made a couple of decisions that could've been very bad indeed, for the ABs....IMO, he was lucky the ball bounced his way, so to speak.
wardad
Guest
Too true Chinmay ,switch on score a bunch of tries ,game over .
Old Bugger
Guest
Phew...!!!! My bet survived but only just......thanks boys. I agree with RT - I think Smithy will be frothing about that defence tonite. Btw, absolutely rapt that BB had a co at the line with ball in hand. It took him a while but once he sussed the outside welsh defence coming in, I think he then saw the opportunities. Well done BB. Now, I wonder if Shag is ready to let more newbies get a run.....off the top, perhaps not. This current 23 need more time to gel together before the RC.
Not Bothered
Guest
And Naholo
Lara
Guest
Some really nice tries in this test match. Fair score line
Kiwi
Guest
Ryan Crotty; just awful. Only one on the field who played worse was Jacko.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
BB, MOTM for me but the kick out on the full allowing Wales to draw level at HT was inexcusable...
AB fan
Guest
naholo just needs to work on defense.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thanks Adam ...great comeback from Wales but not sure if AB's coaches will be in raptures over the win... (in spite of what they say at post match interview) ... To leak too tries like that at the death .... well lets see ... for sure Hansen will applaud Wales for their tenacity... I wonder how he real feels?