Here is your rugby news for Friday October 29 as kick-off draws nearer to a mouthwatering Wales versus New Zealand clash.
Beard: We'll 'take it' to New Zealand
Wales lock Adam Beard says Wayne Pivac's side are ready to 'take it' to New Zealand from the first whistle and gain the upper hand in the physical battle at the Principality Stadium
The Lions second-row argues teams who have stunned the Blacks are the ones who put pressure on from the start and don't let go of the grip.
That is what Wales will seek to replicate on Saturday, roared on by a capacity Cardiff crowd.
While England, Argentina, South Africa and Australia have overcome New Zealand in recent times, Wales have a woeful record against them and haven't won in 68 years.
But Beard insisted: "We haven’t treated it any differently to facing any other side. It’s still a Test match at the end of the day, still going up against 15 men and we have every opportunity to go out and put in a really good performance.
"Coaches have spoken about what they want from us, and it’s about us as players applying that, putting our best foot forward and taking it to them really.
“When teams do get the upper hand against the All Blacks and beat them, those are the teams who take it to them, bring that physicality from the get go. I suppose with the All Blacks once you let them get momentum, they’re a hard team to stop. It’s about getting ourselves right by the weekend and bringing that intensity."
Wales are shorn of a number of leading stars, but Beard said there would be a no excuses culture.
"Look, at the end of the day we haven’t got the selection of players that maybe we wanted, but we still have a quality side on the weekend and 75,000 people back in the stadium," he declared.
Pivac talks of 'special occasion' for Wales fans
Wayne Pivac has set his sights on delivering “a great occasion” this weekend for Welsh fans who have been starved of the Principality Stadium full-house experience for the past 18 months.
Pivac will be without no fewer than 20 players for Wales' autumn opener with New Zealand due to a variety of reasons, with vastly experienced hooker Ken Owens the latest withdrawal.
But the Kiwi coach insists availability issues are “irrelevant” as the men on duty look to secure Wales’ first win over the All Blacks since 1953.
“Everyone looks at history, as you can pull out stats like it being 68 years of defeat,” he said.
“What we do internally is look at 15 rugby players with a referee in the middle. We got to make sure we bring physicality, we’re smart in how we approach the match and our game management is good, so it gives us every chance to get the win everyone would love to see.
“The timing of the game, the people available is irrelevant to us. It’s an opportunity to go out there and put on a good performance.
“75,000 people have been starved of this, so we’ve got a job to do to make it a great occasion.”
Barrett milestone as he heads up formidable New Zealand XV
New Zealand fly-half Beauden Barrett will win his 100th cap when the All Blacks tackle Wales in Cardiff.
Barrett, world player of the year in 2016 and 2017, made his international debut nine years ago and becomes the All Blacks' 11th Test centurion.
"It's a very special time for Beauden and it's also a special time for this team and its legacy," said New Zealand head coach Ian Foster.
"He is a big part of this team, he is a key leader, he has captained the All Blacks, he is vice-captain on this tour and he's an influencer on and off the park."
Foster has made a number of changes to the team that demolished the United States 104-14 last weekend, with Barrett, centre Anton Lienert-Brown, lock Brodie Retallick and back-row forward Ardie Savea among those returning as starters.
Foster said: "These Test matches are a big part of our history as a rugby team and it has been three years since we played in Europe, so there is a real sense of excitement.
"The Welsh will play with their traditional passion and they will throw everything at us. They are Six Nations champions and a very good team.
"They have a group of young players coming through who will be excited to play, so we will have to be ready, and we are."
Scotland star's new role
Darcy Graham is relishing a rare chance to start at full-back for Scotland in Saturday's opening autumn Test against Tonga.
The Edinburgh flyer plays predominantly as a wing but will get the opportunity to wear the 15 jersey this weekend in the absence of national team captain Stuart Hogg, who is not available for selection until the second Test against Australia.
Graham said: "I'm very excited to wear the 15 jersey. It will be the first time I've worn it for Scotland.
"The last time I wore it was for Edinburgh probably about two years ago, so it's a new challenge. Gregor Townsend asked me how I felt about playing it and I was very open to a new challenge. I'm looking forward to it.
"There's a wee bit added pressure (playing at 15) but I never stay on the wing anyway so not a lot changes for me.
"Being in that 15 jersey will hopefully make it a bit easier to get my hands on the ball a bit more."
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