Wales take on mighty All Blacks
Wales’ much-changed side face an awesome task as they take on a full-strength New Zealand at Sydney’s Telstra Stadium.
The venue has been re-named since the Games of 2000, and it will take an Olympian effort from Steve Hansen’s men to keep the All Blacks under control.
Hansen has rested all but five of the players who started in the 27-15 win over Italy, which secured a place in the quarter-finals.
Colin Charvis remains, but moves from number eight to the openside flank, while hooker Robin McBryde, lock Brent Cockbain, prop Adam Jones and centre Sonny Parker all retain their places.
Fly-half Iestyn Harris has been rested because of a minor leg injury, while Mark Taylor’s damaged shoulder is also kept away from the physical battering likely to occur this evening.
The weakened Welsh line-up are unlikely to record their country’s first win over New Zealand since 1953 or emulate the close calls of the 1970s.
New Zealand are certainly not planning to take it easy for this match, naming a powerful team as they build up for a likely quarter-final against South Africa.
The back three of Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko have scored 12 tries between them – two more than the entire Welsh team combined.
Leon MacDonald continues at centre in the absence of the injured Tana Umaga, while the tough-tackling Jerry Collins starts at number eight.
Chris Jack is still out with an ankle injury, so Brad Thorn will start at lock as the All Blacks chase the record 55-3 win they posted against Wales in Hamilton during June.
Muliaina, Howlett, MacDonald, Mauger, Rokocoko, Spencer, Marshall, Hewett, Mealamu, Somerville, Thorn, Williams, Thorne, McCaw, Collins.
Hammett, Meeuws, So’oialo, Holah, Kelleher, Carter, Nonu.
Evans, S. Williams, Taylor, Parker, Shanklin, S. Jones, Cooper, I. Thomas, McBryde, A. Jones, Cockbain, Sidoli, J. Thomas, Charvis, Popham.
Davies, Jenkins, Wyatt, D. Jones, Peel, Sweeney, G. Thomas.
Andre Watson (South Africa)
