Blog Banner

Navidi and Dacey to face the All Blacks

23rd November 2017


Cardiff Blues' Josh Navidi and Kristian Dacey have been included in Warren Gatland's Wales squad to take on All Blacks on Saturday (KO 5.15pm)

Navidi returns to the starting line-up to take the number seven jersey, with hooker Dacey named amongst the replacements for the clash against the current world champions.

The Welsh pack is unchanged from the side that faced Australia in the opening game of the autumn series, as Navidi is reunited with Aaron Shingler and Taulupe Faletau in the back row.

Head coach, Gatland, is excited at the prospect of facing the All Blacks and hopes to take the positives from the opening clash against Australia into Saturday's match.

"It's great to name an unchanged pack from the Australia match, we were pleased with a lot of aspects of our second half performance in that match so we are looking to build on that on Saturday," said Gatland.

"We have spoken heavily about opportunity this autumn and there is no greater opportunity than lining up against the world champions."

Gatland's side take on South Africa next week in the final match of the autumn series.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets); Hallam Amos (Dragons), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Owen Williams (Gloucester), Steff Evans (Scarlets); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (C) (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Taulupe Faletau (Bath)

Replacements: Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Leon Brown (Dragons), Cory Hill (Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Bath), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins)