Wales change 9 for bronze clash

Departing Wales coach Warren Gatland has made nine changes to the side that lost to South Africa for Friday’s bronze medal clash with the All Blacks.

Wales will sport a new halfback combination with scrumhalf Tomos Williams partnering Rhys Patchell while Owen Watkin slots in alongside Jonathan Davies in midfield.

Josh Adams, who has six World Cup tries, will get the chance to extend his lead at the top as he starts the contest with Owen Lane on the opposite wing. Fullback Hallam Amos completes the back three that is expecting a daunting Test against the bruised New Zealand backs.

Veteran captain Alun Wyn Jones is joined by Adam Beard in the second row with regular back rowers Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty aided by James Davies for Gatland’s swansong.

Dillon Lewis and Nicky Smith will scrum down with Ken Owens as the hooker.

Friday’s clash kicks off at 11am.

Wales – 15 Hallam Amos, 14 Owen Lane, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 James Davies, 6 Justin Tipuric, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Adam Beard, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Nicky Smith.
Subs: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Wyn Jones, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Aaron Shingler, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Hadleigh Parkes.

New Zealand – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Atu Moli, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Jordie Barrett.

Photo: Welsh Rugby Union

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