STEVE TANDY has made four changes to the Wales squad for their clash against New Zealand tomorrow.
Taine Basham is set to make his first Wales appearance since the 2024 Six Nations starting at number eight.
Aaron Wainwright lined-up in the position for last Saturday’s 28-21 win over Japan, but is unavailable for selection due to a minor calf injury.
James Botham starts at blindside flanker, while Adam Beard comes into the second row and in the back line, Gabriel Hamer-Webb will start on the wing for his maiden appearance in the competition.
Tomas Francis is set to be released after sustaining a knee injury during training this week and Keiron Assiratti has been called up to the wider squad.
Looking ahead to the game, Tandy said: “We’re excited for the opportunity we have against New Zealand. It was good to get the win last Saturday, but some elements of our execution weren’t where we wanted.
“We have to go up another level this weekend and be more ruthless. We have one of the best teams in the world coming. We want to be better and put in an 80-minute performance.
“I’m delighted that Taine gets an opportunity this weekend. It’s been a while since his last appearance for Wales but he didn’t give up and has put in a lot of dedication and hard work to get back.
“The way he’s been playing for Cardiff has been great and I’m excited to see him go on Saturday.”
Max Llywellyn has singled out New Zealand great Sonny Bill Williams as his major rugby influence.
Williams was a two-time World Cup winner in 2011 and 2015 after representing New Zealand in rugby league before switching codes.
Gloucester centre Llewellyn said: “Sonny Bill was probably someone I really enjoyed watching.
“Growing up, I was a centre, he was a centre. We were similar frames, and I really enjoyed what he did in terms of bringing the offload into rugby and changing the game a bit.
“That was something I looked at and wanted to emulate.”
Llewellyn can actually count himself as one of the few Welshmen who have been on a winning side against a New Zealand team.
The 27-year-old was at outside centre when Wales beat New Zealand 8-7 in the 2019 World Under-20 Championship in Argentina.
“It does seem a long time ago – the years just seem to fly by,” said Llewellyn. “It was a strange old game because just before half-time there were thunderstorms, and the game was postponed for 30 minutes before we came back out.
“But that’s still a good memory, actually, when I think back on it.”
Wales opened their autumn campaign by edging past Japan, making it two wins and two defeats in the Nations Championship so far. They are currently fifth in the northern hemisphere standings.
Llewellyn said: “It’s always nice coming off a win and the mood’s obviously a lot different to a loss.
“We probably haven’t been too consistent in our performances, whether it be the Six Nations or in the summer. So it’s just making sure it doesn’t matter who the opponents are, that we need to make sure we’re consistent in that. That’s obviously what we’re building towards, and I think we’re going in a good direction.”
Share