One change for Wales
By Dai RDR (21/11/02)
November 21 2002
Stave Hansen has today named his starting fifteen for Wales' clash against the All Blacks this weekend. To find out who's in and who's out read on.
One change for the All Blacks clash
Steve Hansen has today announced his Welsh team who will face the All Blacks in the last of the Autumn internationals at the Millennium Stadium this Saturday. The only change from the team that beat Canada 32 - 21 last weekend is Pontypridd second row Robert Sidoli taking over from Llanelli's Vernon Cooper.
Many had thought that Mefin Davies, impressive against Fiji, would take over from Robyn McBride at hooker and that Michael Owen would take the place of Dafydd Jones in the back row even though Jones has produced two excellent displays for Wales so far.
Dafydd James, suspended by Steve Hansen for last weeks match against Canada for breaking a curfew has been added to the replacements bench in place of Cardiff's Nick Walne and owing to the retirement of Scott Quinnell from international rugby, Richard Parks has again been drafted into the squad. Neath's Gareth Llewellyn makes his 70th appearance in a Welsh jersey, 13 years after making his debut against the All Blacks and captain, Colin Charvis will win his 50th cap this weekend.
This weekend, Wales will be hoping to record their first win against the All Blacks for over 40 years although many feel that it won't be done despite the fact that the All Blacks have made 9 changes to their team which drew with France last weekend.
Wales team
R Williams (Cardiff); M Jones (Llanelli), J Robinson (Cardiff), S Parker (Pontypridd), G Thomas (Bridgend); S Jones (Llanelli), D Peel (Llanelli); I Thomas (Llanelli), R McBryde (Llanelli), B Evans (Swansea), R Sidoli (Pontypridd), G Llewellyn (Neath), D Jones (Llanelli), M Williams (Cardiff), C Charvis (Swansea, capt).
Replacements: M Davies (Pontypridd), G Jenkins (Pontypridd), M Owen (Pontypridd), R Parks (Pontypridd), R Powell (Cardiff), I Harris (Cardiff), D James (Bridgend).
New Zealand team
B Blair; D Howlett, R King, T Umaga; J Lomu; A Mehrtens, S Devine; T Woodcock, K Mealamu, C Hayman, K Robinson, A Williams, T Randell (capt), D Braid, R So'oialo. Replacements: A Hore, K Meeuws, B Mika, M Holah, D Lee, P Steinmetz, M Robinson.
Do you think Steve Hansen has selected the right team?
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