Ospreys flanker Harri Deaves will make his Wales debut as Steve Tandy makes five changes to his side to face New Zealand on Saturday.

Deaves comes into the back row for injured number eight Olly Cracknell as one of five personnel changes from the side that beat Japan 24-23.

Scarlets centre Joe Hawkins will make his first Wales start since March 2023 as he replaces Ben Thomas, while wing Tom Rogers comes in for suspended Josh Adams.

Props Rhys Carre and Keiron Assiratti return to the starting side after dropping to the replacements bench against Japan. While Archie Griffin rotates to the bench, Gareth Thomas makes his first appearance in a matchday 23 this autumn in place of Nicky Smith.

Dragons hooker Brodie Coghlan could make his debut after being included as a replacement, with Liam Belcher out with an injured neck.

“Harri making his debut is an amazing story,” said Tandy, himself a former Ospreys open-side flanker.

“His performances for the Ospreys, both sides of the ball, have been outstanding. I love how he plays the game.

“He’s a smaller rugby player and the way he plays he adds physicality – his speed and aggression are there for everyone to see.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for Harri and we can’t wait to see him go on Saturday.”

Mann impressed in the number seven shirt against Japan, while Wales will continue to monitor Wainwright’s fitness after he came off last weekend.

If the Dragons number eight is ruled out, Taine Plumtree would step up from the bench with uncapped Ospreys back row Morgan Morse in line to be promoted to a replacement role.

The other major talking point is Hawkins in at inside centre ahead of Ben Thomas. Thomas had been the incumbent playmaking centre since last summer’s tour of Australia, but is dropped in favour of the Scarlets man.

“We’ve been impressed with his versatility,” said Tandy.

“He can play 10 and 12 and we feel he’s that second pair of hands. He’s trained well over the last three weeks, so it’s exciting for him to get an opportunity.”

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has made 12 personnel changes from the side that lost 33-19 to England with star names Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett rested.

In New Zealand’s final Test of the year, only captain Scott Barrett, flanker Simon Parker and Will Jordan, who switches from full-back to wing, keep their places from the team defeated at Twickenham.

Savea, half-backs Barrett and Cam Roigard and hooker Codie Taylor are among the players who are rested, while number eight Peter Lakai and centre Jordie Barrett are injured.

Damian McKenzie is named at fly-half and forms an experienced midfield with the centre partnership of Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane who both have 87 caps.

Teams

Wales:

Blair Murray; Louis Rees-Zammit, Max Llewellyn, Joe Hawkins, Tom Rogers; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Alex Mann, Harri Deaves, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements

Brodie Coghlan, Gareth Thomas, Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Taine Plumtree, Keiron Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins.

New Zealand:

Reuben Love; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke; Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Tamati Williams, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Pasilio Tosi, Scott Barrett (capt), Fabian Holland, Simon Parker, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi.

Replacements

George Bell, Fletcher Newell, George Bower, Josh Lord, Christian Lio-Willie, Finlay Christie, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Sevu Reece.

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