Beauden Barrett will captain a much-changed All Blacks side when they face Wales in their penultimate game of the Nations Championship group stages.

The 35-year-old will lead a team that has seen eight changes to its starting XV, with one of those coming in the back three. Fehi Fineanganofo is in for the injured Will Jordan, joining Barrett and Josh Moorby in the back three.

Beauden’s brother, Jordie, has been rested, which opens up an opportunity for Anton Lienert-Brown who partners Quinn Tupaea in the midfield.

They will be hoping to play off good ball from a new half-back pairing, with Richie Mo’unga combining with Cortez Ratima in the key decision-making positions.

Up front, head coach Dave Rennie has opted to keep Wallace Sititi and Peter Lakai as his number eight and openside flanker, respectively.

There is no Tupou Vaa’i, however, as Anton Segner gets a first Test start at blindside. Vaa’i and Fabian Holland are a couple more first-choice stars to be given the weekend off, having been omitted from the 23.

That means Josh Lord returns to the All Blacks pack alongside former captain Scott Barrett in the second-row.

The final two changes come in the front-row, with Fletcher Newell the only one to retain his place as Asafo Aumua and George Bower are handed starts.

All Blacks Bomb Squad

Finally, on the bench, New Zealand have effectively gone for a 6-2 split for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up game against the Springboks.

Leicester Fainga’anuku takes 21 jersey as back-row cover, joined by fellow forwards George Bell, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Jamie Hannah and Ethan Blackadder.

Fainga’anuku can, of course, play either wing or centre if required, having featured in those positions for the majority of his career as the All Blacks follow the Springboks and England in naming a hybrid.

The versatile Crusader is one of six new players among the replacements, with scrum-half Kyle Preston the sixth. Rieko Ioane completes the 23.

“Beauden brings such valuable experience and is massively respected by us all. Captaining the All Blacks in a Test is an honour that I know he doesn’t take lightly, so it’ll be a proud day for him and his whānau,” Rennie said.

“We have created good depth in this group and there is a lot of competition for places. We have selected a strong side with 783 caps.

“Wales are a proud rugby nation and building nicely under Steve Tandy. We are well aware of the threat they pose and the challenge of playing in front of a passionate crowd at Principality Stadium.”

All Blacks team to face Wales

All Blacks: 15 Beauden Barrett (c), 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Anton Segner, 5 Josh Lord, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 22 Kyle Preston, 23 Rieko Ioane

Date: Saturday, 14 November 2026
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14:10 (local), 15:10 (France), 16:10 (South Africa), 01:10 (15 November, AEDT), 03:10 (15 November, New Zealand), 11:10 (Argentina), 23:10 (JST), 09:10 (EST)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (RA) and Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
FPRO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)