By David Williams
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has handed Dragons wing Rio Dyer a Test debut in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series clash against New Zealand.
The 22-year-old starts, with Josh Adams, who had been nursing a hand injury, not in the matchday 23.
Elsewhere, Leigh Halfpenny will make his Wales return after a 16-month absence from Test rugby.
I've watched a lot of Rio Dyer in action for the Dragons this season and have also interviewed him. I don't get the impression he will be fazed by making his Wales debut against New Zealand and the kid has got some wheels. Pleased for him.
— Simon Thomas Rugby (@simonrug) November 3, 2022
The Scarlets full-back suffered serious knee ligament damage during Wales’ victory over Canada last year.
Hooker Ken Owens, who has not played for Wales since the 2021 Six Nations due to a back problem, starts in the front-row alongside Gareth Thomas and Tomas Francis.
Pivac has replaced injured fly-half Dan Biggar with Gareth Anscombe, while captain Justin Tipuric and his fellow openside flanker Tommy Reffell pack down in the back-row, with Taulupe Faletau at number eight.
🏴 𝐂𝐘𝐌𝐑𝐔 𝐗𝐕 🏴
🔥 Your Welsh side to take on the 🇳🇿 All Blacks 💪#WelshRugby | #ANS
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 3, 2022
Tipuric last represented Wales almost 20 months ago, having been sidelined because of a serious shoulder injury, while Leicester forward Reffell is retained following an outstanding Test series against South Africa this summer.
Cardiff’s Tomos Williams has won the scrum-half vote ahead of Kieran Hardy, with considerable replacements’ bench experience provided by Alun Wyn Jones and Rhys Priestland.
Exeter forward Christ Tshiunza is also among the replacements, making Wales’ matchday group following some impressive displays for the Chiefs this season.
Wales starts at 6 since 2020 (inc v NZ on Sat):
6⃣ Moriarty
4⃣ Wainwright, Jenkins, Lydiate
3⃣ Lewis-Hughes, Navidi
2⃣ Botham, Davies
1⃣ Turnbull, Basham, Tipuric pic.twitter.com/M3ccDw3KuO— Russ Petty (@rpetty80) November 3, 2022
Teams –
Wales: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 13. George North, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Will Rowlands, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Justin Tipuric (captain), 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16. Ryan Elias, 17. Nicky Smith, 18. Dillon Lews, 19. Alun Wyn Jones, 20. Christ Tshiunza, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Owen Watkin.
New Zealand: 15. Beauden Barrett, 14. Sevu Reece, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 9. Aaron Smith, 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Sam Whitelock (c), 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Dalton Papali’I, 8. Ardie Savea.
Replacements: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa’I, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Brad Weber, 22. David Havili, Anton Lienert-Brown.