Wales make two changes to their starting line-up following defeat to New Zealand in Dunedin last weekend for Saturday’s second Test at the Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (kick-off 19.35 local time).
Osprey Dan Biggar replaces the 90-times capped Scarlet and British Lions outside half Stephen Jones, who moves to the bench allowing Biggar to win his sixth international cap and make his third start for his country.
Scarlet Jonathan Davies replaces injured Osprey Andrew Bishop (hand) at outside centre in the only other change to the backline, with head coach Warren Gatland saying ‘same again’ to the entire forward pack which achieved parity with the All Blacks for a major part of last week’s Test before the opposition pulled away on the scoreboard part way through the second half.
There are a further four changes on the bench with Dragons wing Will Harries and Blues scrum half Richie Rees joining Jones in providing cover for the backs and Ospreys prop Craig Mitchell comes in for the Blues John Yapp, who turned an ankle in training this week.
Ospreys hooker Huw Bennett, Blues lock Deiniol Jones and Scarlets flanker Rob McCusker are all retained as replacements with Scarlets’ tyro Tavis Knoyle missing out this week.
That leaves just Scarlets hooker Ken Owens and Ospreys lock Ian Gough as the only two players from a squad of 27 left with no opportunity for game-time on tour.
“This is a magnificent place to tour and we have received a wonderful welcome in Hamilton after being involved in a tough game against New Zealand last week,” said Gatland.
“There is a lot of mutual respect amongst the players and the people of New Zealand and Wales and we are two nations who love our rugby, but you don’t get respect in this country, collectively or individually, unless you perform on the pitch here.
“Kiwis talk fondly about the Welshmen involved in the 1971 Lions tour because they won the series, they talk glowingly about players like Ryan Jones who made an impact on the pitch on the 2005 Lions tour.
“We want to leave here with our heads held high after Saturday and with the respect of the New Zealand nation and we will only do that if we perform as individuals and collectively on the pitch.
“This team has an opportunity to create a reputation in this country that will last into the Rugby World Cup next year and beyond and we need to take that opportunity.”
WALES: Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Tom Prydie; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Gavin Thomas, Ryan Jones (capt)
Replacements: Huw Bennett, Craig Mitchell, Deiniol Jones, Rob McCusker, Richard Rees, Stephen Jones, Will Harries
WALESSQUAD BIOGS: * Denotes replacement
15 Lee BYRNE (OSPREYS) Date of Birth: 01.06.80, bridgend Ht: 6’2″ (1.88m) / Wt: 15st 1lb (96kgs) Full International Record: 34 caps (W 14, L 19, D1; 40pts – 8T) Cap Number: 1041 Debut: v New Zealand (rep), 2005 Position: Full back Previous Region/Clubs: bridgend Athletic, Llanelli, Scarlets 2005: NZ*, Fij, SA 2006: E*, S*, I, It, F, Arg, Arg(1t), PI(1t) 2007: F, A, E 2008: E(1t), S, It(2t), I, F, SA, NZ, A(1t) 2009: S, E, F(1t), It, I 2010: E, S(1t), F, I, It, SA, NZ
14 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES) Date of Birth: 22.12.88, Swansea Ht: 5’10” (1.77m) / Wt: 13st 1lbs (83kgs) Full International Record: 16 caps (W 6, L 9; 53pts – 7T, 7P) Cap Number: 1060 Debut: v South Africa, 2008 Position: Wing Previous Region/Club: Ospreys Academy, blues Academy, Neath, Cardiff 2008: SA(1p), C(2t), NZ 2009: S(1t), E(1t, 1p), F, NZ, Sam(1t 1p), Arg(2p), A(1p) 2010: E*, S(1t), F(1t), I, SA, NZ
13 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS) Date of Birth: 05.04.88, Solihull Ht: 6’1″ (1.86m) / Wt: 16st 3lbs (103kg) Full International Record: 6 caps (W 4, L 1) Cap Number: 1066 Debut: v Canada, 2009 Position: Centre Previous Region/Club: Scarlets Academy, Llanelli 2009: C, USA(2t), Sam*, Arg, A, NZ*
12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES) Date of Birth: 08.11.86, Newport Ht: 6’4″ (1.93m) / Wt: 16st 10lbs (107kgs) Full International Record: 23 caps (W 10, L 13; 5pts – 1T) Cap Number: 1057 Debut: v Scotland, 2008 Position: Centre Previous Region/Club: blues Academy, Cardiff 2008: S, SA(1t), SA, SA, C*, NZ, A 2010: E, S, F, I, It, SA 2009: S, E, F, It, I*, NZ, Sam, Arg, A, NZ
11 Tom PRYDIE (OSPREYS) Date of Birth: 23.02.92, Carmarthen Ht: 6’4″ (1.94m) / Wt: 13st 9lbs (87kgs) Full International Record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2, 5pts – 1T) Cap Number: 1074 Debut: v Italy 2010 Position: Full back / Wing Previous Region/Club: Swansea, Ospreys 2010: It, SA, NZ
10 Dan BIGGAR (OSPREYS) Date of Birth: 16.10.89, Swansea Ht: 6’2″ (1.88m) / Wt: 13st 9lbs (90kgs)Full International Record: 5 caps (W 4: 44pts – 7C, 10P) Cap Number: 1063 Debut: v Canada (rep), 2008 Position: Outside Half Previous Region/Club: Ospreys Academy, Swansea 2008: C(3c 1p)2009: C(2c 6p), USA*(2c), Sam(3p) , NZ*
9 Mike PHILLIPS (OSPREYS) Date of Birth: 29.08.82, Carmarthen Ht: 6’3″ (1.91m) / Wt: 16st 3lbs (103kg) Full International Record: 41 caps (W 21, L 19, D 1; 20pts – 4T) Cap Number: 1022 Debut: v Romania 2003 Position: Scrum Half Previous Region/Club: Llanelli Scarlets, Cardiff blues 2003: Rom(1t) 2004: Arg*, Arg*, Jp* 2005: USA(1t), C, NZ, Fij*, SA* 2006: S*, It*, F, Arg, Arg, PI, C*, NZ* 2007: I*, F*, E*, A, A, F*, C*, A*, Jp(1t), Fij*, SA* 2008: E(1t), S, It*, I, F 2009: S, E, F, It, I 2010: It, SA, NZ
1 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS) Date of Birth: 13.05.82, Neath Ht: 6’1″ (1.86m) / Wt: 17st 7lbs (111kgs) Full International Record: 12 caps (W 5, L 7) Cap Number: 1021 Debut: v Romania, 2003 Position: Prop Previous Region/Club: Neath 2003: Rom 2009: NZ, Sam, Arg, A 2010: Eng, S, F, I, It* , SA, NZ
2 Matthew REES (SCARLETS) Date of Birth: 09.12.80, Tonyrefail Ht: 6’0″ (1.83m) / Wt: 17st 1lbs (108kgs) Full International Record: 38 caps (W 17, L 20, D 1; 10pts – 2T) Cap Number: 1033 Debut: v USA, 2005 Position: Hooker Previous Region/Club: Merthyr, Pontypridd, Celtic Warriors 2005: USA 2006: Arg, A, C(1t), NZ* 2007: I*, S*, F, It(1t), E, A, Arg, F, C, A, Fij 2008: E*, S*, It, I, F*, SA, SA, NZ, A 2009: S, E, F, It*, I, NZ, Sam*, Arg, A 2010: I, It, SA, NZ
3 ADAM RHYS JONES (OSPREYS) Date of Birth: 08.03.81, Abercrave Ht: 6’0″ (1.83m) / Wt: 19st 9lbs (125kgs) Full International Record: 63 caps (W 31, L 30, D2; 10pts – 2T) Cap Number: 1018 Debut: v England (rep), 2003 Position: Prop Previous Region/Club: Abercrave, Neath 2003: E*, S, C*, Tga*, It, NZ, E 2004: S(1t), I, Arg, Arg, SA, SA, Rom, NZ, Jp 2005: E, It, F, S, I, USA, NZ, Fij*, SA*, A* 2006: E, S, I, It, F, Arg, Arg, A, PI*, C, NZ 2007: S, It*, E*, A, Arg, C, A 2008: E, S, I, F, SA, SA, NZ, A 2009: S, E, F, I 2010: E(1t), S, F, I, It, SA, NZ
4 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES) Date of Birth: 09.01.87, Llantrisant Ht: 6’1″ (1.98m) / Wt: 18st 1lb (155kgs) Full International Record: 12 caps (W 6, L 6) Cap Number: 1065 Debut: v Scotland (rep), 2009 Position: Lock Previous Region/Club: blues Academy, Llantrisant, Cardiff 2009: S*, It*, C, NZ*, Sam* 2010: E*, S*, F, I, It, SA, NZ
5 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS) Date of Birth: 19.09.85, Swansea Ht: 6’5″ (1.96m) / Wt: 19st 1lbs (121kgs) Full International Record: 39 caps (W 16, L 23; 25pts – 5T) Cap Number: 1046 Debut: v Argentina, 2006 Position: Lock Previous Region/Club: Ospreys Academy, Swansea 2006: Arg, Arg, PI, C*, NZ* 2007: I, S, F, It, E, E, Arg(1t), F, C(1t), A, Jp(1t), Fij, SA 2008: E, I, F, SA, SA, SA, NZ, A 2009: S(1t), E, F, It, I, NZ, Sam, Arg, A 2010: E, S, SA (1t), NZ
6 Jonathan THOMAS (OSPREYS) Date of Birth: 27.12.82, Pembroke Ht: 6’5″ (1.96m) / Wt: 17st 5lbs (110kgs) Full International Record: 57 caps (W 27, L 28, D 2; 35pts – 7T) Cap Number: 1013 Debut: v Australia, 2003 Position: Lock / back Row Previous Region/Club: Swansea 2003: A, NZ*, E*, Rom, It*, NZ, E 2004: S*, I, F, E, Arg*, SA*, Rom*, Jp 2005: E*, It(1t), F*, S*, USA(1t), C(2t), NZ 2006: It*, F*, A, PI*, C(2t), NZ 2007: S*, F*, It*, E*, A, A, Arg, F, C, A(1t), SA 2008: E, S, It, I, F, SA, SA 2009: It, Sam*, Arg*, A* 2010: E*, S, F, I, It, SA, NZ
7 Gavin THOMAS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS) Date of Birth: 22.10.77, Leamington Spa Ht: 6’1″ (1.85m) / Wt: 16st (102kgs) Full International Record: 23 caps (W 7, L 16; 20pts – 4T) Cap Number: 988 Debut: v Japan, 2001 Position: back Row Previous Region/Club: bridgend, bath, Llanelli, Scarlets, Ospreys 2001: Jp, Jp(2t), I*, Rom, Arg, Ton*, A*(1t) 2002: S*, SA*, Rom* 2003: It*, E, S, F*, E*, Rom(1t) 2006: Arg, Arg, PI, 2007: I*, A, A, NZ
8 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS) CAPTAIN Date of Birth: 13.03.81, Newport Ht: 6’5″ (1.96m) / Wt: 18st 0lbs (114kgs) Full International Record: 42 caps (W 23, L 18, D1; 5pts – 1T) Cap Number: 1029 Debut: v South Africa, 2004 Position: back Row Previous Region/Club: Newport, bridgend, Celtic Warriors 2004: SA, NZ*, Jp 2005: E*, F, S(1t), I, USA 2006: A, C, NZ 2007: I, S, F, It, E 2008: E, S, It, I, F, SA, SA, SA, C, NZ, A 2009: E, F, It*, I, C, USA, NZ, Sam, Arg 2010: E, S, F, It , SA, NZ
REPLACEMENTS:
16 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS) Date of Birth: 11.06.83, Ebbw Vale Ht: 6’0″ (1.83m) / Wt: 17st 0lbs (108kgs) Full International Record: 33 caps (W 18, L 15) Cap Number: 1017 Debut: v Ireland 2(rep), 2003 Position: Hooker Previous Region/Club: Swansea 2003: I*, S*, C*, Ton* 2004: S*, F*, Arg*, Arg, SA* 2006: Arg, PI* 2007: E, Jp, SA 2008: E, S, It*, F 2009: S*, E*, F*, It, I*, NZ*, Sam, Arg*, A* 2010: E*, S*, F, I*, It*, NZ*
17 Craig MITCHELL (OSPREYS) Date of Birth: 03.05.86, Neath Ht: 6’1″ (1.86m) / Wt: 17st 2lbs (109kg) Full International Record: 3 caps (W 3) Cap Number: 1068 Debut: v Canada (rep), 2009 Position: Prop Previous Region/Club: Neath 2009: C*, USA*, Sam*
18 Deiniol JONES (CARDIFF BLUES) Date of Birth: 18.11.77, Carmarthen Ht: 6’5″ (1.96m) / Wt: 17st 8lbs (112kgs) Full International Record: 9 caps (W 6, L 3) Cap Number: 981 Debut: v Samoa, 2000 Position: Lock Previous Region/Club: bath, Ebbw Vale, bridgend, Celtic Warriors 2000: Sam 2003: Rom* 2004: SA 2008: S*, It* 2009: C, USA 2010: F, SA
19 Rob McCUSKER (SCARLETS) Date of Birth: 12.10.85, Mold Ht: 6’5″ (1.95m) / Wt: 15st 10lbs (100kgs) Full International Record: 2 cap Position: Flanker Previous Region/Club: Mold, Llanelli 2010: SA*, NZ*
20 Richard REES (CARDIFF BLUES) Date of Birth: 21.05.83, Swansea Ht: 5’11” (1.80m) / Wt: 13st 1lb (83kgs) Full International Record: 4 caps (W 1, L 3) Cap Number: 1072 Debut: v England (rep) 2010 Position: Scrum Half Previous Region/Club: Ospreys, London Irish 2010: E*, S*, F, I
21 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS) Date of Birth: 08.12.77, Aberystwyth Ht: 6’1″ (1.86m) / Wt: 14st 12lbs 94kgs) Full International Record: 90 caps (W 39, L 49, D2; 807pts – 7T, 131C, 166P, 6DG) Cap number: 966 Debut: v South Africa (rep), 1998 Position: Outside Half Previous Region/Club: Llanelli, Clermont Auvergne 1998: SA* 1999: C*, Jp* 2000: It*, S(2c, 4p), I(1t, 2c, 1p) 2001: E, F*, Jp(7c), Jp(4c), Rom(10c 2p), I(2p), Arg, Ton, A 2002: I(1t 1c 1p), F(3c 4p), It(5c 3p), S(1c 5p), SA(2p 1d), SA(1p), Rom*, Fij(3c 5p), C(2c 6p), NZ(1c 1p) 2003: S(2c 1p), I(1t 3c 1d), F, A(1c 1p), NZ(1p), E(3p), Ton(1c 4p), It*, NZ(4c 3p), E(1t) 2004: S(1c 2p), I(1c 1p), F(1c 5p), E(1c 3p), It(4c 2p), SA(3c 5p), Rom(1t 7c), NZ(3p) 2005: E(1p), It(4c), F(1c 3p 1d), S(5c 2p), I(2c 4p), NZ(1p), SA(1c 3p), A(1c 4p) 2006: E(1c 2p), S(4c), I, It(1t 1c 2p), F(1c 2p), A(1p), NZ(1p) 2007: I(3p), S(3p), F(3c), It(1c), C*, A(1p), Jp(5c 1p), Fij(2c 1p) 2008: S*(1c 2p), It(3c 4p), I(1c 2p), F*(2c 2p), SA(1c 1p), SA(1c 3p), SA, NZ(3p), A(1c 2p 1d) 2009: S(2p), E(5p), F(1c 2p), It*, I(4p 1d), NZ(4p), Arg(1t 3c 2p), A(3p) 2010: E(2c 1p), S(2c 4p), F(2c 2p), (4p), It(3c 4p), SA, NZ
22 Will HARRIES (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS) Date of Birth: 30.03.87. Ht: 5’8” (1.73m) / Wt: 13st 1lb (83kgs) Uncapped. Position: Wing
