Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Wales. Photo / Getty Images.
Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Wales. Photo / Getty Images.
After sealing a 39-21 win in their first match following the 2015 Rugby World Cup at Eden Park last Saturday, we've collected all the vital information you need to know ahead of the second installment of the Steinlager Series between the All Blacks and Wales.
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 7:35pm kick-off
The 32nd match up between these two great rugby nations will take place at Westpac Stadium in the capital tonight.
It is the first time the All Blacks will host Wales at the Cake Tin, although it will not be the first time the Welsh have played there, having been controversially defeated by the Springboks at the venue during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. In the pool match they were denied a penalty by last weekend's referee Wayne Barnes, as he ruled the ball to have drifted wide of the posts, while many others believed the kick was successful.
The New Zealand side continued their well-documented winning streak at Eden Park last Saturday, extending their winning run to 39 consecutive victories in Auckland, a record dating back to 1994.
39 is also the magic number when it comes to consecutive wins in tests played throughout the whole of New Zealand for the All Blacks, as the home side have not lost in the country since their Tri-Nations defeat to the Springboks at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton back in 2009.
The All Blacks have only lost twice in 19 appearances at Westpac Stadium, with the latter coming some 13 years ago in 2003, as the All Blacks fell 15-13 to an England side that would go on to win the World Cup later that year in Australia.
In addition to all this, the All Blacks' 27-match winning streak against Wales, one that has lasted for 53 years, is unlikely to be broken, meaning the All Blacks will run out to a sold out stadium as strong favourites to seal the Steinlager Series with a match still to play in Dunedin next week.
Line ups:
This week's All Blacks side features just two changes to the side that ran out victors in Auckland last weekend.
Most notably, out-of-form wing Julian Savea has been dropped by head coach Steve Hansen, which has meant fullback Israel Dagg will be in line to complete his All Black comeback, after being dropped from their World Cup squad last year.
Dagg, who last played for the All Blacks against South Africa in Johannesburg in last year's Rugby Championship, will slot in at fullback in the starting XV, pushing vice-captain Ben Smith onto the right wing, which in turn forces Highlanders flyer Waisake Naholo onto the left wing.
Israel Dagg's first test in Wellington
Dagg and Smith will run out together just prior kick-off, as the pair will both celebrate their 50th test matches tonight.
The other notable change from last weeks team is the inclusion of veteran lock Sam Whitelock, who returns from injury to play in his 74th test match.
He takes the place of Crusaders teammate Luke Romano, who has been dropped from the 23-man team altogether.
There is no room for any new caps this week, however reserves Ardie Savea and Seta Tamanivalu retain their spots on the bench after strong second half showings in their debuts last week.
In the Welsh camp, head coach Warren Gatland has also made two changes to his team that were defeated last week.
Surprisingly, Wales' standout performer Liam Williams has been moved from his preferred fullback position onto the right wing, in place of the injured George North.
Rhys Patchell will takeover the number 15 jersey, while the other key change is the inclusion of lock Luke Charteris, who captained Wales to their mid-week thumping at the hands of the Chiefs in Hamilton on Tuesday night, taking the place of Bradley Davies, who underperformed in Auckland.
Charteris will partner up with veteran lock Alun Wyn Jones, who played in his 100th test last weekend.
Wales' only new cap from last week, flanker Ellis Jenkins, retains his spot on the bench.
All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Waisake Naholo, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Seta Tamanivalu.
Wales: Rhys Patchell, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton (c), Ross Moriarty, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Samson Lee.
Reserves: Scott Baldwin, Rob Evans, Tomas Francis, Bradley Davies, Ellis Jenkins, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams.
The TAB has the All Blacks as overwhelming favourites to take out the second test - and as a result the Steinlager Series - paying out at $1.05 for a New Zealand win, while an upset in favour of the Welsh is paying out at $8.50.
How to watch:
Sky TV will be showing the match live on Sky Sport 1 at 7:30pm, with pre-match coverage beginning at 6:30pm. RadioSport will have live commentary led by Nigel Yalden while for an alternative take you can listen to Champagne Rugby.
You can also tune into our own live blog from 6.30pm and go in the draw to win a TAB voucher.
