Tokyo (AFP)
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen on Wednesday changed his starting lineup on Wednesday to face Wales in Tokyo on Friday in the match for third place in the Rugby World Cup.
Hansen made seven changes - plus one post - including four in the three-quarter line, which included tenants Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane, as well as a new pair of centers, consisting of Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty.
In front, Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell will caption Kieran Read, captain for the 52nd and last time before retiring to international level.
The trio will evolve behind Scott Barrett, who returns to the second row after starting in third against England in the semifinal (7-19).
Finally, Dane Coles was titularized at tailgating.
Wales coach Warren Gatland made nine changes to the team that started against South Africa (16-19).
He notably renewed his hinge, which will be associated with the scrum-half Tomos Williams and the opener Rhys Patchell, and established winger Owen Lane, called after the quarter-final against France (20-19) to compensate for the injury of Josh Navidi.
Behind, only center Jonathan Davies and winger Josh Adams retain their place. In front of Ross Moriarty and Justin Tipuric (third row), captain Alun Wyn Jones (second row) and hooker Ken Owens will make a second start.
The starting XV
New Zealand: B. Barrett - B. Smith, Crotty, SB Williams, Ioane - (o) Mo'unga, (m) A. Smith - Cane, Read (cap.), Frizell - S. Barrett, Retallick - Laulala , Coles, Moody
Wales: Amos - Lane, J. Davies, Watkins, Adams - (o) Patchell, T. Williams - J. Davies, Moriarty, Tipuric - AW Jones (cap.), Beard - Lewis, Owens, N. Smith
replacements
New Zealand: Coltman, Moli, Ta'avao, Tuipulotu, Todd, Weber, Lienert-Brown, J. Barrett
Wales: Dee, Carre, Jones, Ball, Shingler, G. Davies, Biggar, Parkes
© 2019 AFP