The All Blacks have returned to their strongest available side for Saturday’s meeting with Wales at the Principality Stadium.
After selecting a number of squad players for last weekend’s 38-31 victory over Japan in Tokyo, they have wheeled out the big guns for the Cardiff clash. They have largely reverted to the side which beat Australia in the final Rugby Championship match at Auckland’s Eden Park in September.
One notable absentee is 99-cap second row Brodie Retallick, who has been banned for two matches following his red card against Japan. Regular captain Sam Cane is also missing, having headed home after suffering a fractured cheekbone in Tokyo. Hugely-experienced lock Sam Whitelock takes over as skipper, with Dalton Papali’i stepping in for Cane on the openside flank.
