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Warburton leads Wales against All Blacks

18th November 2014


Cardiff Blues ace Sam Warburton returns to captain the team as Wales name an experienced side to face New Zealand on Saturday - with centre Jonathan Davies the only personnel change to the team that started against Australia in the opening Dove Men Series clash.

Davies comes into the midfield to partner Jamie Roberts whilst Warren Gatland also calls upon the returning Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny in the backline.

Halfpenny comes back into the side after missing the Fiji match and links up with try-scorers from that game, George North and Cardiff Blues wing Alex Cuthbert in the back-three. Ospreys half-back pair Webb and Biggar are named at nine and 10 respectively.

The pack features the same eight that started against the Wallabies. Paul James, Richard Hibbard and Samson Lee comprise the front-row. Alun Wyn Jones and Jake Ball start in the second row with captain Sam Warburton, who missed the clash against Fiji, coming back into the side alongside Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau. Blues prop Gethin Jenkins misses the game with a hamstring strain.

WALES TEAM TO PLAY NEW ZEALAND:

Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Paul James (Bath), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Unattached), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), James Hook (Gloucester), Liam Williams (Scarlets).