Rugby: Nine changes to u-20s side

Gareth Anscombe. Photo / Getty Images

Coach Mark Anscombe has made nine changes to the New Zealand under-20 rugby side's starting lineup for their match against Wales at the junior world championship in Italy tomorrow morning (NZT).

Only captain Luke Whitelock, flanker Sam Cane, lock Steven Luatua and backs Gareth Anscombe, Lima Sopoaga and Charles Piutau survive from the side that crushed Italy 64-7 on Saturday.

Anscombe was conscious of sharing the workload among the squad as they chase their fourth successive title and picked a side for the match in Rovigo with that in mind.

"We are mindful that Wales are a very formidable side with strike power in the backs and a physical forward pack. Our boys have bounced back well from the Italy game and the team is looking forward to this week's match," he said.

Whitelock moves to No.8 from blindside flanker, while Charles Piutau, who scored two tries in the win over Italy shifts from fullback to the left wing to accommodate Hurricanes utility Beauden Barrett who takes over at fullback.

Wales won their opening match 34-8 against Argentina. New Zealand's final pool match is against the junior Pumas on Sunday (NZT).

Team: Beauden Barrett, Waisake Naholo, Rhys Llewellyn, Lima Sopoaga, Charles Piutau, Gareth Anscombe. TJ Perenara, Luke Whitelock (captain), Sam Cane, Brad Shields, Brodie Retallick, Steven Luatua, Ben Tameifuna, Codie Taylor, Solomona Sakalia. Reserves: Sefo Setefano, Michael Kainga, Dominic Bird, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Brad Weber, Francis Saili, Glen Robertson.

- NZPA