{"id":22514,"date":"2017-11-21T16:56:48","date_gmt":"2017-11-21T16:56:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=22514"},"modified":"2017-11-21T16:56:48","modified_gmt":"2017-11-21T16:56:48","slug":"blacks-itll-tough-day-office-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2017\/11\/21\/blacks-itll-tough-day-office-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"All Blacks: It'll be a tough day at the office for Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Zealand are the next visitors to the Principality Stadium, so how will Wales fare against the World\u2019s best?<\/em><\/strong>
\nLAST weekend\u2019s gritty victory over Georgia was hardly vintage Welsh rugby. The 13-6 scoreline was a fair reflection of a tightly contested tie.<\/span>
\nHead coach, Warren Gatland, rang the changes ahead of the test with Liam Williams the sole survivor from the team defeated by the Wallabies in the first test.<\/span>
\nThe growing power in Eastern Europe pushed the Welsh all the way and could even have drawn level in the final moments had it not been for a stubborn defence. The home side continually struggled to break down the Georgian defence, the only try of the game coming from a well worked move and finished by Hallam Amos.<\/span>
\nThe World Champions have not been at their best this series but have plenty of talent to turn that around in ruthless fashion. <\/span>
\nA spirited performance from Scotland almost took advantage of the lacklustre Kiwis but even when they\u2019re not at their best, the All Blacks have a knack of maximising their return on the scoreboard however well they play.<\/span>
\nDefence coach, Shaun Edwards, suggested that Wales could learn from the Scottish performance: \u201cWhat Scotland did very well was hold onto the ball for 60% of the time. If we can do that I\u2019ll be happy. Starving them of the ball is one way of keeping their attack quiet.\u201d<\/span>
\nWales made 14 changes for Georgia from the side defeated by Australia.<\/span>
\nRhys Priestland was given a start at the weekend but is expecting to be missing from the All Blacks test.<\/span>
\n \u201cWe will wait and see, I won\u2019t hold breath,\u201d he said.<\/span>
\nThe Bath fly-half is braced for another round of changes to the starting XV: \u201cWe have been in this situation before when we have perhaps underperformed in the game against a tier two nation and everyone is doom and gloom.<\/span>
\n\u201cAnd then, changes happen and the boys up their game, because it is going to be a very tough day at the office.\u201d<\/span>
\nA tough day indeed. Wales have only beaten the All Black at home three times since 1905, the latest, a 13-8 victory in 1953.<\/span>
\nLiam Williams has been ruled out for the remainder of the series with an abdominal injury sustained against the Lelos. Tight-head prop, Samson Lee, is a major doubt and Alex Cuthbert has been ruled but flanker Justin Tipuric returned to training and is likely to be available to face the All Blacks. Amos and Steff Evans seem certain to start due to Williams\u2019 injury. Jamie Roberts also appears to be in-line to start at 13.<\/span>
\nEdwards said: \u201cJamie Roberts could come into the equation. There are three or four there to pick from. Gats (Warren Gatland) will evaluate it and come up with the best option.”<\/span>
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