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Jones returns to lead much-changed Wales against All Blacks
By Peter Thompson
Alun Wyn Jones returns to captain Wales as Warren Gatland makes 12 changes to his starting line-up to face New Zealand on Saturday.
Jones was rested for a 13-6 victory over Georgia, but the lock is among a dozen players coming back into the team to face the world champions at the Principality Stadium.
Gatland has named the same pack that lined up for the defeat against Australia, while Steff Evans and Hallam Amos start on the wings in the absence of Liam Williams and Alex Cuthbert.
Owen and Scott Williams will form the centre pairing, the latter winning his 50th cap.
Wales head coach Gatland said: "It's great to name an unchanged pack from the Australia match, we were pleased with a lot of aspects of our second half performance in that match so we are looking to build on that on Saturday.
"We have a couple of injuries in the backline but we also have players on form starting. Steff Evans and Hallam Amos are both on form and we are excited to see what they can do.
"We have spoken heavily about opportunity this autumn and there is no greater opportunity than lining up against the world champions."
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Hallam Amos, Scott Williams, Owen Williams, Steff Evans, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Aaron Shingler, Josh Navidi, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Wyn Jones, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Justin Tipuric, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Jamie Roberts.
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Latest Comments
Italians defended well. Luckily the scrums went well for the ABs.
Go to commentsYou were 'valuing' the players by you saying "they are not greats" though, I was pointing out another reason why they are greats, inside the team I mean (which is more important to selections on the pitch stuff).
Someone like TJ would be bitterly disappointed he didn't play on this end of year tour. He is still good enough to come on in that France game and ensure the team get the victory (with regards to how well Ratima had been playing). At the very least this is a 'sorry you didn't get that chance' offering, he's not here to get token farewell games, he will be playing to try and prove that he should have been on the pitch last week.
The other decision to play your best over the future is really personal though so can agree with your reasoning. Just sharing a slightly different perspective. I'll have to check the ratings and see how they went.
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