I’m quite positive about the side, even without 6 of the British Lions we have put out a side that will pose NZ problems all over the park, Ruddock has been quite quiet about match tactics but I’m expecting he will target the back row as Wales as 3 players who complement each other perfectly.

I’d have like to see Alfie on the wing and Kev at full back but that’s just personal preference, Mark Taylor gets the nod ahead of Sonny Parker and Michael Phillips is rewarded for his good form this season, the rest of the side pretty much picked itself with Chris Horsman and Lee Byrne likely to win their first caps.

Bring em on.

New Zealand: M Muliaina (Auckland); R Gear (Nelsons Bay), C Smith (Wellington), T Umaga (Wellington, capt), J Rokocoko (Auckland); D Carter (Canterbury), B Kelleher (Waikato); N Tialata (Wellington), A Oliver (Otago), C Hayman (Otago), C Jack (Canterbury), J Ryan (Otago), J Collins (Wellington), C Masoe (Taranaki), R So'oialo (Wellington).
Replacements: A Hore (Taranaki), T Woodcock (North Harbour), A Macdonald (Auckland), R McCaw (Canterbury), J Cowan (Southland), M Nonu (Wellington), L MacDonald (Canterbury).

Q: Why is Richie McCaw on the bench?

A: Because he will captain the side vs Ireland next week and a certain villain by the name of Tana Umaga will not be playing.

When politics pick rugby teams you’re heading down the wrong road but that’s Graham Henry for you.

Its going to be fast and furious and not for the faint hearted, Wales will play with the trademark style we have become used to and they will need to cause the NZ defence more problems than they did last year, heroics will be needed but its far from an impossible task, if they believe they can do it.

As Windsor Davies said "WALES, WALES"

Wales vs New Zealand

Saturday 5^th November, KO 1600hrs

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

And finally don't forget to check out Zippy's player ratings next week!