Preview: Wales vs New Zealand in Nations Championship
Wales faces a challenging match against New Zealand following a hard-fought 28-21 victory over Japan last weekend. The Welsh team will have to adjust to the absence of key player Aaron Wainwright, who is sidelined due to a calf injury.
Current Standings
So far in the Nations Championship, Wales has recorded two wins and two losses out of four matches, placing them fifth in the Northern Hemisphere pool, just above Italy.
In contrast, New Zealand arrives in Cardiff with an impressive record, having secured victories in all four of their matches to date. They recently continued their streak with a decisive 43-21 win against Scotland at Murrayfield, maintaining a remarkable 121-year undefeated run against the Scots.
The All Blacks, currently level on points with South Africa, sit second in the Southern Hemisphere group due to a lower points difference. They are in a prime position to take the lead, especially after South Africa’s unexpected 21-19 loss to injury-stricken France on Friday night.
Match Details
The clash between Wales and New Zealand is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, with kick-off set for 2:10 PM GMT. The match will take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Broadcast Information
TV channel: In the UK, viewers can watch the match live and for free on ITV and S4C, with coverage beginning at 1:40 PM GMT on ITV1 and 1:30 PM on S4C.
Live stream: Fans can also stream the match online via the ITVX website and app, available at no cost with a registration.
Team Updates
Wales has made four alterations to the lineup that faced Japan, with winger Gabriel Hamer-Webb making his second cap. Josh Adams, who scored twice last weekend, is being rested.
In the back three, Hamer-Webb will join Louis Rees-Zammit and New Zealand-native Blair Murray. Sam Costelow continues at fly-half while Tomos Williams serves as scrum-half, backed by midfielders Max Llewellyn and Eddie James.
The back row will see James Botham come into the number six position, joined by Jac Morgan and Taine Basham, who steps in for the injured Wainwright. The second-row combination features Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard, with captain Dewi Lake at hooker flanked by props Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin.
For New Zealand, Beauden Barrett will captain the All Blacks for the first time against Wales, marking his 149th Test cap. Head coach Dave Rennie has made eight changes, with Asafo Aumua stepping in at hooker for Codie Taylor. Other new faces in the pack include George Bower and Josh Lord, while Anton Segner earns his first start.
Fehi Fineanganofo will make his first start on the wing, replacing the injured Will Jordan, with Anton Lienert-Brown taking over from Jordie Barrett at centre. A new half-back partnership of Richie Mo’unga and Cortez Ratima will feature, with Mo’unga returning from a calf injury.
Starting Lineups
Wales XV: Murray; Rees-Zammit, James, Llewellyn, Hamer-Webb; Costelow, Williams; Smith, Lake (c), Griffin; Jenkins, Beard; Botham, Morgan, Basham
Replacements: Elias, Thomas, Lewis, Carter, Plumtree, Morgan-Williams, Edwards, Hennessey
New Zealand XV: B Barrett (c); Fineanganofo, Tupaea, Lienert-Brown, Moorby; Mo’unga, Ratima; Bower, Aumua, Newell; S Barrett, Lord; Segner, Lakai, Sititi
Replacements: Bell, Numia, Tosi, Hannah, Blackadder, Fainga’anuku, Preston, Ioane
Historical Context
The head-to-head record between Wales and New Zealand is heavily skewed, with Wales last defeating the All Blacks in 1953, presenting a daunting challenge for the home side.
Match Prediction
While playing at home offers Wales a distinct advantage and they can draw confidence from their recent win, taking on New Zealand represents a severe test of their capabilities. The All Blacks displayed their prowess with a 52-26 victory in Cardiff last year and will leverage their speed, strength, and attacking versatility.
Expect New Zealand to potentially create separation in the score during the second half after a competitive opening period.
Betting Odds
For those looking to engage with the match through betting, it’s crucial to gamble responsibly. Odds may fluctuate, and the information presented here was accurate at the time of publication.
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