After starting his first Test for the national side for the first time since 2023, Bristol Bears’ Louis Rees-Zammitt will wear the 14 jersey for the second consecutive week.
However, this will be his last start for Wales this autumn, as he heads back to the Ashton Gate side next week, due to the encounter against South Africa taking place outside the international window.
The main talking point from the team announcement is that Joe Hawkins will make his first start at 12, his first since March 2023. Despite playing a lot for the Scarlets at 10 this season, and being on the bench when they toured South Africa, he replaces Ben Thomas at inside centre.
He’s comfortable in both roles, so he gives Steve Tandy options, attack-wise. But with him publicly stating he wants more involvement in matches, his best position for that on Tandy’s side is at inside centre, a second playmaker, who could catch Scott Robertson’s side off guard.
Elsewhere, fellow Scarlets player Tom Rogers, who was dropped from the matchday 23 against Japan, comes straight back into the starting XV as he replaces the banned Josh Adams. Whilst Harri Deaves, after being a late call-up to the squad, begins on the openside, as both Alex Mann and Aaron Wainwright move back to their favourable positions.
Among the replacements, hooker Brodie Coghlan would join Deaves in making his Wales debut on Saturday with an appearance from the bench, while loosehead prop Gareth Thomas is in line to make his first appearance for Wales this campaign.
Speaking after announcing his matchday 23 to face the All Blacks, head coach Steve Tandy said: “We obviously want to improve the performance from Japan. I thought we had some outstanding moments against Argentina [in week one].
"We felt we would have liked to have improved more last weekend. It was obviously good to get the win, but we want to improve our own performance against a world-class opposition on Saturday.
“Joe Hawkins is in at 12. We’ve been impressed with his versatility. He can play 10 and 12, and we feel he's that second pair of hands. He's trained really well over the last three weeks, so it's exciting for him to get an opportunity.”
On Deaves making his debut, Tandy added: “Harri Deaves making his debut, I think, is an amazing story. I think his performances for the Ospreys, both sides of the ball, have been outstanding. I love how he plays the game. He's a smaller rugby player, and the way he plays, he adds physicality. His speed and aggression are there for everyone to see. It's an amazing opportunity for Harri, and we can't wait to see him go on Saturday.”
Wales team to play New Zealand:
15. Blair Murray (Scarlets, 12 caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears, 34 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby, 10 caps)
12. Joe Hawkins (Scarlets, 5 caps)
11. Tom Rogers (Scarlets, 12 caps)
10. Dan Edwards (Ospreys, 6 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby, 66 caps)
1. Rhys Carre (Saracens, 22 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (C, Ospreys, 24 caps)
3. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby, 17 caps)
4. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Montpellier, 60 caps)
6. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby, 9 caps)
7. Harri Deaves (Ospreys, uncapped)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons RFC, 61 caps)
Replacements:
16. Brodie Coghlan (Dragons RFC, uncapped)
17. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys, 42 caps)
18. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby, 6 caps)
20. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets, 9 caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys, 27 caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins, 13 caps)
23. Nick Tompkins (Saracens, 42 caps)
