"We could lose by 50" - Shane Williams picks his Wales XV to face All Blacks
Rugby NewsSunday, 24 October 2021 at 12:09
Shane Williams believes Gareth Anscombe should be handed the Wales fly-half jersey for the autumn opener against New Zealand on Saturday.
Wales will be without their Gallagher Premiership stars, which includes the likes of Louis Rees-Zammit and Dan Biggar, for their Autumn opener against the All Blacks.
And the legendary winger is less than confident that his nation can get a result against the international heavyweights.
“The number of players unavailable for this game doesn’t bode well at all and if it goes really badly, New Zealand could put 40 or 50 points on Wales,” he writes.
Where to watch the Autumn Nations Series:
Prime members can watch the Autumn Nations Series live from 30th October with the Prime Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire tablets, games consoles, on Virgin’s V6 TV Box, the Talk Talk TV set top box, Apple TV, Chromecast, BT TV or online.
For a list of all compatible devices visit amazon.co.uk/watchanywhere.
SHANE WILLIAMS WALES XV:
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Johnny McNicholl
- 14. Owen Lane
- 11. Josh Adams
CENTRES:
- 13. Willis Halaholo
- 12. Jonathan Davies
HALFBACKS:
- 10. Gareth Anscombe
- 9. Tomos Williams
Williams wrote: “I’ve consistently said Gareth needs to be given time and not rushed, but the brutal truth is I don’t think there is anyone else.
“I’d expect Rhys Priestland to be on the bench and come on in the second half.”
FRONT-ROW:
- 1. Wyn Jones
- 2. Ken Owens
- 3. Tomas Francis
SECOND-ROW:
- 4. Will Rowlands
- 5. Alun Wyn Jones
Williams wrote: “I’ve liked what Rowlands has brought to the Dragons this season.
“He’s a big, physical lump who will know Adam Beard is ready in reserve.”
BACK-ROW:
- 6. Ross Moriarty
- 7. Ellis Jenkins
- 8. Aaron Wainwright
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