All Blacks Make 13 Changes for Wales Test

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has made 13 changes to the All Blacks starting lineup for their final test of the 2025 international season against Wales on Saturday at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The overhaul follows a 33-19 defeat to England last weekend that ended New Zealand's hopes of a Grand Slam tour of the Home Nations, coming after victories over Ireland and Scotland earlier in the November series.

Only captain Scott Barrett at lock, flanker Simon Parker, and Will Jordan, who shifts from fullback to right wing, retain their places from the team that lost at Twickenham. Key players rested include flanker Ardie Savea, flyhalf Beauden Barrett, hooker Codie Taylor, and prop Ethan de Groot, with several sidelined by injuries such as Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, and Luke Jacobson. The changes provide opportunities for fringe squad members to close out the year on a high note.

In the backs, Hurricanes utility Ruben Love earns his second test start at fullback, marking his fifth cap overall. He joins Chiefs halfback pair Cortez Ratima at scrumhalf and Damian McKenzie at flyhalf. The midfield features a returning Rieko Ioane at outside centre alongside Anton...