{"id":282816,"date":"2019-11-01T09:44:55","date_gmt":"2019-11-01T07:44:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/informante.web.na\/?p=282816"},"modified":"2019-11-01T09:44:58","modified_gmt":"2019-11-01T07:44:58","slug":"all-blacks-and-wales-to-square-off-for-bronze","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/informante.web.na\/?p=282816","title":{"rendered":"All Blacks and Wales to square off for bronze"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Staff Reporter<\/p>\n

WHEN Wales square off against New Zealand to determine which team will take the third spot in the 2019 Rugby World Cup they will face a team that they have not beaten in the since 1953 but both teams are motivated to give it their best.<\/p>\n

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Wales have made nine changes the World Cup bronze medal match, which will mark head coach Warren Gatland\u2019s departure after 12 years in charge. <\/p>\n

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In selecting his team for the match against the Kiwi\u2019s Gatland kept a core of experience with Alun Wyn Jones leading the side on his 134th appearance for Wales, backed up by fellow Lions Jonathan Davies, Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty. He also selected players who have had a minor role at the tournament in Japan. Hallam Amos, Nicky Smith and James Davies, will also get an outing, along with Owen Lane who arrived last week as a replacement for Liam Williams.<\/p>\n

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About his departure as the coach he said: \u201cI never thought I would be in Wales for 12 years. I have been incredibly lucky to coach the players I have and work with such an incredible backroom staff. It has been very challenging but worthwhile. It is the end of an era for a lot of people and I am so proud of this group.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Gatland said it would be easy to throw in the towel but the players have lifted themselves and they will give their all.<\/p>\n

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New Zealand made eight changes from the side that was overwhelmed by England in last Saturday\u2019s semi-final. Kieran Read will lead the side from No 8 in his last Test while Ben Smith and Sonny Bill Williams will also have their final outings in the black jersey before moving to play abroad.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt was a tough team to select because everyone wanted to play,\u201d said the New Zealand head coach, Steve Hansen, who is also in charge of the All Blacks for the last time. <\/p>\n

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\u201cThere has been a lot of external talk about this being a game no one wants, but we can\u2019t wait to play it. Everyone, players and management, wants to show that our last performance was not at the high standard we know we can play at,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The match is set to kick-off at 11:00.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n