2019 Rugby World Cup Bronze Final
New Zealand VS Wales
Friday, 1 November 2019
Kick-off: 11h00 am
Japan
Wales will be keen to cause an upset when they face New Zealand in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Bronze final at the Tokyo Stadium on Friday.
The Dragons are wounded as they lost 19-16 to South Africa in the second semi-final clash which was played on Sunday.
They will look to in-form winger Josh Adams, who has been one of the best players at this year's tournament.
The Cardiff Blues player has scored six tries in the competition making him the current top scorer and he could be key for Wales in the third-place play-off match.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland is looking forward to facing a wounded New Zealand side.
“Friday will be our last time together so we’re going to make sure we enjoy this week. The All Blacks are probably hurting as much as we are at the moment," Gatland said.
"The third and fourth play-off is a tough game to play, but you have to give it the respect it deserves. We have to go out there and do the best we can to try and win it.
Read as well: South Africa VS England World Cup Final
"It’s my last game in charge against the All Blacks. It will be monumental. As a coach, they are the only team I haven’t beaten with Wales. It would be nice to be able to achieve that.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand are eager to return to winning ways after losing 19-7 to England in the first semi-final clash which was played on Saturday.
Kieran Read, the All Blacks captain, will be under pressure to lead his troops to victory in the third-place play-off encounter against Wales.
The Crusaders flanker, who won two Rugby World Cup trophies with the All Blacks, will be looking to use his experience to help New Zealand end their campaign with a victory.
The last meeting between Wales and New Zealand was on the 25th of November 2017.
New Zealand secured a 33-16 victory over Wales in the 2017 Autumn International match.
Key Match Stats
Head-to-Head
New Zealand vs Wales
Matches: 34
New Zealand wins - 31
Wales wins - 3
Draws - 0
New Zealand Starting VX: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody.
Substitutes: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Atu Moli, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Jordie Barrett.
Wales Starting XV: 15 Hallam Amos, 14 Owen Lane, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 James Davies, 6 Justin Tipuric, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Adam Beard, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Nicky Smith.
Substitutes: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Wyn Jones, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Aaron Shingler, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Hadleigh Parkes.
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