Wales have confirmed Aaron Wainwright is a doubt for Saturday's clash with the All Blacks

Wales have confirmed that Aaron Wainwright is likely to miss Saturday's Nations Championship with the All Blacks.

WalesOnline reported earlier on Tuesday that the 29-year-old was a major doubt for the visit of New Zealand to Cardiff this weekend, with Taine Basham likely to make his first Welsh start in over four years. Having been in a protective boot on Monday, Wainwright was once again wearing it on Tuesday - taking no part in training.

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, contact skills coach Dan Lydiate confirmed Wainwright was a doubt for Saturday's match.

"He picked up a bit of a knock at the weekend," said Lydiate. "I think it’s a minor injury.

"He’s walking around in a boot at the minute, but that’s more precautionary. The medical staff are assessing him and working as quickly as they can to turn him around.

"I don’t know if he’ll be available this week, but they’re doing everything in their power to make sure he is, if they can turn him around."

The 71-cap No. 8 has established himself as a key figure under Steve Tandy.

He has been started in 10 of the Wales head coach's 13 matches in charge, including the last seven.

While Lydiate admitted it was a blow, he added that it would give a chance for someone else to step up.

"I don’t know how many Test caps he’s got for us now, but he’s such a leader in terms of his ball-carrying ability," said the former back-row. "He’s up there now and he’s made a good impact.

"A quality player like Aaron Wainwright is a loss when he’s not available for us, but it gives someone else another chance.

"Touch wood, we’ve been lucky that Wainwright has been quite robust over many years, given the position he plays. Like anyone, you want your best players on the field.

"Teams in England have obviously looked to scout him, as they have some of our other world-class players, because they want our best players.

"He could potentially be a loss, but if that’s the case, it’ll give someone else an opportunity. You never know, we might find the next Aaron Wainwright."

Basham would appear to be the next cab off the rank, with WalesOnline understanding he's set to start.

It is over two years since his last Wales cap, while you have to go back to the 2022 Six Nations for his last Wales start.

However, having started the season strongly at No. 8 for Cardiff, he will get a second chance in the jersey at Test level - having only started at the back of the scrum once before, against Fiji in 2021.