Wales aim to spoil Kiwi farewell to Carisbrook
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Your support makes all the difference.The Wales coach Warren Gatland has called on his team to wreck New Zealand's farewell party at Carisbrook. The All Blacks are moving to the new Forsyth Barr Stadium after more than a century of rugby at the 29,000-capacity ground in Dunedin.
While Gatland is aware of the All Blacks' record at the ground – they have won 33 of their 40 matches there – his side are not weighed down with expectation and knows Ryan Jones's men are capable of ending their 57-year win drought.
"It's not the easiest place in the world to come and get a result," said Gatland. "For a number of people involved with the ground, it will be fairly emotional. But it's not an emotional game for us. It's more for the hosts in terms of their history.
"We are determined and there is a quiet self-belief creeping through the squad which makes me sense we are capable of producing a performance to be proud of."
Whatever happens in the game, the Wales wing Tom Prydie (above) will have experienced a rapid rise through the ranks to win his third international cap.
Fast-tracked through the Ospreys age-grades after catching the eye of director of coaching Scott Johnson, the teenager made just two starts for the region this season – in the Anglo-Welsh Cup against Leeds and Newport Gwent Dragons.
Wales backs coach Robert Howley believes the 18 year old is capable of handling the pressure the All Blacks will put him under.
Howley expects that Prydie will be targeted for the high kicks as the All Blacks look to assert some early dominance but is backing the youngster to come good.
"I think Dan Carter and Jimmy Cowan play an effective kicking game and our back three are going to be wary of that – particularly Carter's left foot. It will be a big Test for Tom but we back him to the hilt. It will be a huge learning experience and that's what Test rugby is about."
Prydie has shown few signs of nerves in the build-up to the game, although he admits they are there.
"Through the week you've just got to concentrate and work on your game and you do get nerves but it's just overcoming them really," he said.
Wales team to play New Zealand at Carisbrook in Dunedin: L Byrne (Ospreys); L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), A Bishop (Ospreys), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), T Prydie (Ospreys); S Jones (Scarlets), M Phillips (Ospreys); P James (Ospreys), M Rees (Scarlets), A Jones (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), A W Jones (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys), G Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Jones (Ospreys, captain).
Replacements: H Bennett (Ospreys), J Yapp (Cardiff Blues), D Jones (Cardiff Blues), R McCusker (Scarlets), T Knoyle (Scarlets), D Biggar (Ospreys), J Davies (Scarlets).
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