Wales promote Sidoli for Kiwi challenge

It is probably appropriate that the Wales coach, Steve Hansen, found that selecting the team to take on New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff tomorrow was tough – after all, this is a tough fixture.

In the end, Hansen made just one change to the side which underperformed against Canada last weekend. "One or two places were reasonably difficult because some players have been performing really well," he said. "As a result it was tough leaving people out."

One of those who have performed well is the blind-side flanker, Dafydd Jones. "He is one of a couple of players who have forced their way in. Dafydd has come through this autumn campaign in fine fashion."

Another is Robert Sidoli, the Pontypridd second-row forward, who comes in off the bench in place of Vernon Cooper, last week's debutant. That solitary change to the starting line-up means that the speedy Wales back line gets a further chance to impress.

It includes the New Zealand-born Sonny Parker in the centre against his fellow countrymen. "It is the biggest game of my life," admitted the 25-year-old Parker, who will be marking the powerful All Black Tana Umaga.

"Hopefully, I will learn a lot off him," added the optimistic Parker, who said he was not at all nervous about turning out for his adopted country on a residential qualification against the country of his birth. Even his family have no worries. "My parents are supporting me," he added. "My friends are too, but they are backing New Zealand."

Dafydd James, the man who broke the squad curfew in the build-up to the Canada game and had a one-match ban slapped on him, returns to the bench in place of Cardiff's Nick Walne. The onerous task of filling the place left by Scott Quinnell on the bench falls to Richard Parks of Pontypridd.