Wales team vs New Zealand: Basham returns as Tandy makes four changes

Taine Basham will start for Wales for the first time since the 2024 Six Nations, as Steve Tandy makes four changes for Saturday’s Nations Championship match against New Zealand in Cardiff.

Basham comes in at number eight in place of Aaron Wainwright, who misses out with a calf injury. James Botham, Adam Beard and Gabriel Hamer-Webb also start.

Wales vs New Zealand kicks off at 2.10pm on Saturday at the Principality Stadium and is live on ITV and ITVX.

Wales team vs New Zealand in full

Starting XV:
15. Blair Murray
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
13. Eddie James
12. Max Llewellyn
11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb
10. Sam Costelow
9. Tomos Williams

1. Nicky Smith
2. Dewi Lake (captain)
3. Archie Griffin
4. Dafydd Jenkins
5. Adam Beard
6. James Botham
7. Jac Morgan
8. Taine Basham

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Gareth Thomas, Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Taine Plumtree, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Dan Edwards, Louie Hennessey.

Basham rewarded after long road back

Basham’s last Wales start came in the 2024 Six Nations. Since then he has battled to get back into the international picture.

“I’m delighted that Taine gets an opportunity this weekend,” Tandy said. The head coach added that Basham “didn’t give up” and had put in “a lot of dedication and hard work to get back”.

He starts at number eight because Wainwright has a minor calf problem. You can read more on Wainwright’s injury here.

The four changes

Three of the changes are in the pack:

• Basham replaces Wainwright at number eight.
• Botham comes in for Alex Mann at blindside flanker.
• Beard is recalled to the second row alongside Dafydd Jenkins.

The only change behind the scrum is on the wing, where Hamer-Webb is preferred to Josh Adams. It will be his first appearance in the Nations Championship.

Gareth Thomas, Dillon Lewis and Taine Plumtree could all make their first appearances of the campaign from the bench.

Francis released, Assiratti called up

Tomas Francis has been released from the squad after injuring his knee in training this week. Keiron Assiratti has been called into the wider Nations Championship squad as cover.

Wales want to be “more ruthless”

Wales beat Japan 28-21 in Cardiff last weekend, but Tandy was not happy with everything he saw. In the official squad announcement, he said parts of their execution were not where Wales wanted them to be.

“We have to go up another level this weekend and be more ruthless,” he said. “We want to be better and put in an 80-minute performance.”

The size of the task is clear. Wales have not beaten New Zealand since 1953, as our piece on when Wales last beat the All Blacks explains. The All Blacks arrive in Cardiff after beating Scotland 43-21 at Murrayfield, and Richie Mo’unga is targeting a strong return to Cardiff.

For channels and full timings, see our Wales vs New Zealand TV guide.

Wales team vs New Zealand FAQ

Who is Wales captain against New Zealand?
Hooker Dewi Lake.

Why is Aaron Wainwright not playing?
He has a minor calf injury, so Taine Basham starts at number eight.

What time is Wales vs New Zealand?
2.10pm on Saturday 14 November at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff.

What channel is Wales vs New Zealand on?
ITV, with streaming on ITVX.

When did Wales last beat New Zealand?
In 1953.